there is a series of islands along the west coast of canada known as the queen charlottes. similar in size and shape to the outer hebrides on the west coast of scotland, they are home to the haida people, a first nations community.
i have been lucky enough to go twice and both times i have had an amazing guide named jimmy. jimmy carves totems in the manner of his ancestors, and he’s incredibly knowledgeable about the symbolism and history of the islands.
the islands have a fault running through the middle of them at sgaang gwaii, up near the cave where boys would go to perform a coming-of-age ritual. they also have one of the most impressive collections of still standing totems in the world. for more information on this unesco world heritage site, please visit their unesco page. all photos are my own, as usual.