Building the Value-Added Economy on Xaayda Gwaay.yaay

Background

Since 2017, Haida Laas and the Council of the Haida Nation (CHN) have called on HaiCo and Taan to help grow the value-add economy on Haida Gwaii. Guided by two resolutions from the House of Assembly, the HaiCo Board formed a working group to scope out the vision.

To move this work forward, we engaged PNL Consulting to prepare two planning reports. The first developed a high-level vision and business case for a value-added business park. The second, commissioned in 2024 with financial support from Coast Funds and the backing of CHN, involved on-island engagement with local sawyers and wood users to better understand the gaps and opportunities in Haida Gwaii’s value-added economy.

Introducing Didguusii

This planning work led to the early-stage development of a small site at Ferguson Dry Land Sort. Jaskwaan Bedard was engaged and her recommendation in Xaad kíl was Didguusii - translation: an area at side of a reference point edge of a clear space (like a work area beside a forest) (pronounced: Did - GUU- see).

From the beginning, our goal has been to proceed slowly and respectfully, focused on creating something that reflects the needs of Haida Laas Haida people and creates a lasting benefit. The long term vision is for Didguusii to support Haida Laas Haida, local entrepreneurs, artists, and carvers by improving access to wood fibre and shared infrastructure – without duplicating or displacing existing efforts.

Supporting Fibre Access

One of the biggest barriers identified through PNL’s engagement work was fibre access. Many Haida Laas shared that while the Cultural Wood Access Program is vital, only offering whole logs, can make it difficult for individuals without equipment or transport to participate.

Through Didguusii, we’ve identified a way to support the program by offering primary breakdown for the Cultural Wood Access Program and local sawyers: the mill will process logs into smaller, usable volumes, making them more accessible to carvers, artists, builders, and entrepreneurs. We are in the process of building a shelter to house the mill and testing the equipment to ensure we’re prepared to support Haida / local users in a safe and effective way.

Working in Partnership, Not in Competition

The small mill at Didguusii is not intended to compete with existing local mills. The Council of the Haida Nation and the HaiCo Board have been clear: this project must strengthen, not displace, the local value-added economy on Xaayda Gway.aay Haida Gwaii.

Part of PNL’s work focused on identifying gaps and understanding where Haida Laas need support—whether through equipment, workspace, reliable fibre access, or business support. Didguusii is being designed to meet those needs, while offering space for collaboration and shared solutions.

What’s Next 

With support from Coast Funds and the Council of the Haida Nation, we are currently building infrastructure at the Didguusii site. This includes the mill shelter, small office, space for future activities, and operational testing of the equipment.

The 2024 Coast Funds grant was instrumental in getting the project off the ground. It provided funding to purchase milling equipment, preparation the Ferguson site, and hire a Value-Added Development Coordinator to lead next steps and engage with the community.

We are now using the information from the PNL reports—along with all the feedback we’ve received—to build a robust, community-informed business plan for Didguusii.