Ahhh!!
Now I am familiar with them, but only from the historical chronicles.
By the way, and if I'm not mistaken, I think that smallpox could have been transmitted to them by the Spaniards, as I believe they were the first Europeans to visit them...
Although in this particular case of the Haida, if the old chronicles do not lie, peaceful and brief commercial relations were established.
A simple point to supply food (celebrated their fish) for the Spanish frigates that went from the pacific coasts of today's Mexico and USA ports to the Alaska considered Spanish, to expel Russian adventurers.
I seem to remember that the old chronicles described the Haida with surprise and admiration, because depending on when they were visited, they seemed the most prosperous and carefree people in the world, among huge fish banquets that welcomed the whole population...as they seemed the most needy people in the world, all working together to survive...
Of course, I don't know how rigorous these chronicles are...
I believe that the Haida who recovered from smallpox, were later crushed by exterminating their game and introducing high alcohol into their customs (?).
Let me know what is true or false in all these old chronicles. Besides, they could be talking about another native people nearby, confusing them...
Hey, what did the Haida make their boats sails with before the encounter with the Europeans?
And thank you very much for the clarification.
Pd:
Painting of a Spanish naval outpost in extreme northwestern Canada or southern Alaska.
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Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
It was indeed the Spaniards, as Europeans who first laid eyes upon Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands). Perez the ship's captain, however, what you relate likely refers to Nootka Sound on Vancouver Island far to the south. He did not land at Haida Gwaii but a Haida canoe came out to greet them, did a bit of trading, then Perez headed south.
https://www.3rd1000.com/history3/explorers/perez.htm
https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/disco...hfinders-passageways/Pages/pacific-coast.aspx
https://bcbooklook.com/2016/01/26/79-juan-perez/
There are many places named for/by Spanish in the area. I have plied the waters of Strait of Juan de Fuca and been on Cortez Island.
All of the coastal people were very prosperous and advanced societally. They did (and do) have enormous feasts called Potlatch; I've been to a few.
The canoes were carved from a single tree; cedar or Sitka spruce. When I lived at Haida Gwaii logging companies were harvesting Sitka spruce which were 7 metres in diameter.
I do not know the material used for sails but the Haida were skilled at creating fabric and rope.
Accounts of war https://www.historymuseum.ca/cmc/exhibitions/aborig/haida/havwa01e.html