TANU TO ANNA INLET JULY 19TH TO 20TH

Tanu was brought to life by the descriptions of Frank our Haida Watchman. Little is remaining of the 40 longhouses, 31 mortuary columns and 15 morturary houses. Through Frank's stories we gained a vivid sense of what it must have been like in this once vital village. It is as if nature has wrapped the treasures in her thick blanket of moss to take them to the world beyond. We were delighted to meet Frank's family and see how this wonderful experience of living at the ancestral site is instilling the pride of their heritage after the devastating attacks on their culture. But they mention no blame and speak of the renaissance that is happening now and in the future by bringing back the language, dances, rituals and of course the wonderful art. With great pride Frank took us to the grave of Bill Reid, one of Canada's formost artists. He was of Haida descent and wished to be buried at the place of his ancestors.