On Saturday, August 30, members of the Haida Nation gathered at Startup Beach for a moving ceremony to raise a memorial pole in honour of community members lost at sea.
The event was led by carver Billy Yovanovich Jr. and the Ts’aahl/Kay’ahl Laanas clan. It began with boats departing the Daaging Giids dock at 9 a.m., carrying attendees to the beach for the traditional pole raising ceremony at 10 a.m.
The memorial pole stands as a tribute to those who went to sea and never returned—a symbol of remembrance and resilience for families and the wider community.
A community dinner followed the event at the George Brown Recreation Centre, bringing people together in reflection and support.
For those unable to attend in person, a livestream was provided at the Haida Heritage Centre Performance House, with many more tuning in online via the Council of the Haida Nation’s Facebook page. Coffee was offered at the Performance House for those who gathered to watch the ceremony virtually.
The raising of the pole was a powerful moment of cultural strength and collective healing.
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