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 Didguusi
This planning work led to the early-stage development of a small site at Ferguson. The project was kindly gifted the name Didguusi, meaning “a clearing on the side of the woods.”
From the beginning, our goal has been to proceed slowly and respectfully, focused on creating something that reflects the needs of Haida people and creates lasting benefit. The long-term vision is for Didguusi to support local entrepreneurs, artists, and carvers by improving access to wood fibre and shared infrastructure—without duplicating or displacing existing efforts.
Planning for the Future
This planning work led to the early-stage development of a small site at Ferguson. The project was kindly gifted the name Didguusi, meaning “a clearing on the side of the woods.”
From the beginning, our goal has been to proceed slowly and respectfully, focused on creating something that reflects the needs of Haida people and creates lasting benefit. The long-term vision is for Didguusi to support 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 citizens 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 Didguusi, we’ve identified a way to support the program by offering primary breakdown: the mill will process logs into smaller, usable volumes, making them more accessible to carvers, artists, builders, and entrepreneurs. We are also building a shelter to house the mill and practice using the equipment, ensuring we’re prepared to support local users in a safe and effective way.
Working in Partnership, Not in Competition
The small mill at Didguusi is not intended to compete with existing local mills. CHN and the HaiCo Board have been clear: this project must strengthen, not displace, the local value-added economy on Haida Gwaii.
Part of PNL’s work focused on identifying gaps and understanding where Haida makers need support—whether through equipment, workspace, reliable fibre access, or business support. Didguusi is being designed to meet those needs, while offering space for collaboration and shared solutions.
What’s Next
With support from Coast Funds and CHN, we are currently building out infrastructure at the Ferguson site. This includes a shelter for the mill, 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, prepare 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 Didguusi. Once complete, the project will operate as a standalone entity outside of Taan Forest.
This is still the beginning. But we’re committed to moving slowly, listening carefully, and creating space for Haida makers to shape the future of this work.