We woke this morning in Totem Bay at the southern end of Kupreanof Island. After morning stretches and breakfast, we were ready for active fun in Totem Bay on kayaks, standup paddleboards, and in hiking shoes. Totem Bay has an agate beach with interesting geology. After lunch, some of explored Bushy Island by Zodiacs while others bushwhacked their way inland, encounter wildflowers and other beauties of Southeast Alaska’s temperate rain forest. We capped a lovely day with a crab feast and cocktails back onboard National Geographic Sea Bird.
4/24/2024
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National Geographic Sea Lion
Old Massett, Haida Gwaii
Back to Daajing Giids! After an incredible day in SGang Gwaay visiting an ancestral village with still-standing historic totem poles, our Haida hosts thought it appropriate to bring us to Old Massett – and what a joy it was! This remarkable township is home to two master carvers responsible for sharing their culture far and wide. Jim Hart showed us his home studio where we got to meet his mother and his son. Together, Jim and his son shared the stories of the three totem poles outside of their home, each with a unique story regarding close family members. Another master carver some 5 minutes down the road, Christian White, beckoned us into his carving shed where he and his apprentices were actively shaping a canoe out of red cedar. Christian and Jim honor their ancestors’ legacies by training young Haida as carvers, each having several apprentices. In both workshops, the smell of newly carved cedar brought a sense of purpose and hard work; wood shavings danced in the air like the Haida dancers would just after lunch today. It was another wonderful day of sharing, dancing, singing, and laughing.