On Saturday, March 31 at 7 pm the Haida Language Society, Xaad Kihlgaa Hl Suu.u will host the first major fundraiser for the planned Haida Language Building. The evening will be an entertaining night of celebrating the Haida language, art and culture!
The evening will start with the March of the Copper Chefs. The eight chefs, including Brody, David Phillips and Margaret Edgars will create a chanterelle mushroom delicacy as they compete for the honour of Copper Chef 2007.
Joyce Bennett's Kung Glan Naay Fashions will be featured as the chefs wear her Haida vests. Amanda Bedard, who is also a Haida Language Facilitator, and composer Vern Williams will perform, showing the strength of the Haida song. The audience will also be treated to the saxophone tunes of tsiinii Steven Brown, who is also a dedicated Haida speaker and teacher. The Tluu Xaada Naay Dancers will be a feature of the evening.
The art auction will be a popular part of the night, with over 30 great creations! Weavings by Goldie Swanson, Monica Brown, and Sandy Gagnon are hot items; carvings by Roy Collison; prints by Cory Bulpitt, Jaalen Edenshaw and Wayne York are also valuable items up for bid. There are other excellent donations from local businesses. Doug Copeland, Tom Arnatt and April White also have amazing artwork in the auction. Auction items are on display at the Haida Rose Café in Old Massett until March 31.
Haida language games, the Dating Game and a delicious meal are all a part of the evening for $25 per person or $40 per couple. Tickets are available from the Family Centre, Haida Rose Cafe, Sandy's Styling and Haida Language staff.
The Haida language is an endangered language. With only a small number of fluent speakers, all over 80 years of age, learning the language is critical. The Haida Language Building has been a dream of the Old Massett Haida for years. The vision of the building includes the language nest, recording studio, archives, lending library, kitchen, offices, classrooms and elders lounge. All proceeds go towards the Xaad Kil Naay, the Haida Language Building.