The Queen Charlotte Islands (HaidaGwaii)are an archipelago of islands that lie 60 miles off the northcoast of British Columbia and about 40 miles from the Alaskan Panhandle. They are rugged, pristine, and unique in character- an environment diverse in natural elements and wildlife species with unusual subspecies. For instance, our indigenous black bears are larger than their mainland relatives. Our rainforests present conifers towering over lush under growth of shrubs, ferns and mosses. The rain fills our streams and lake with clean water to support the life abundant in them. Our beaches are awesome in their beauty and bounty, inviting you to harvest delectables, listen to the heartbeat of the mighty Pacific, watch whales frolicking, hear the screech of an eagle, or just mediatate on the powerful impact of nature on one's soul
Despite what some in the "lower 40's" think our climate is temperate. Some winters we don't even get snow. However we do experience a lot of wind and rain. I personally like the wind and rain, find them comforting knowing they are a major factor in the creation of the essence of these islands. Their sounds and sights are far more seductive than noises and neon lights that contaminate your senses in urban area.
Masset is a small village on the northern most tip of the Charlottes. This is where Haida Bucks cafe is situated. We have a very unique lifestyle here and it is appropriate that we have an unique coffee house.
The Charlottes, also known as Haida Gwaii, are rich in Haida culture.. There is many examples of their native art such as carved totems, silver and gold jewelry, argilite carvings.The owners have incorporated some of this native art in Haida Bucks. Darrin and Willis are the Haida, descendents of those who have lived on the Charlottes for thousands of years. They were born here and has lived most of their lives on the Island. Willis currently is director of the Recreation Center here in Masset. He has always been involved with sports, particularly basketball. He was instrumental in setting higher athletic standards and strengthing the basketball traditions of the North Coast, both as a player, and as a representive of North Coast First Nations. Darrin is a general contractor and is a councillor on the Band Council involved in the management of the affairs of Old Masset, the First Nation element of our community. Darrin's mother who is nearly 80 years old still teaches Haida culture at the school here. She is appalled Starbucks taking advantage of their power to
intrude and interfere with traditions that have been carried on for centuries. A contigent of Haidas have recently gone to Chicago to facilitate the return of artifacts from a Museum that they lost control of years ago. Now it seems like Starbucks wants to deprive them of some more abstract artifacts such as the right to be proud of their Haida "Bucks"
