Barbara Wilson

Kii’iljuus (Barbara Wilson) is a Haida, a member of the Cumshewa Eagle clan. Her public speaking career began at Expo 67 in Montreal, as an Indians of Canada hostess. Barbara actively promotes education by example and has been a guest lecturer for various universities in Canada and abroad. She graduated in 1999 with a cultural resource management diploma from Continuing Education, University of Victoria. In 2011 she was recognized as an “Alumni of Distinction.” This spring, Barbara is pursuing her dream of obtaining a master’s in education and later, a Ph.D.

 

Barbara is a published author and enjoys doing research, writing, photography, and speaking about Haida history and Haida Gwaii. She appreciates traveling, spending time with family and friends, kayaking, and the variety of volunteer work she does in her community. Each school day on Haida Gwaii finds her at language classes with the elders from the village of Skidegate.

 

Kii’iljuus was the cultural liaison specialist for Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site (Gwaii Haanas). She worked there from 1989 to 2012 and was responsible for the conservation of the old Haida villages within Gwaii Haanas and acted as a liaison between Gwaii Haanas and the various first nations around Canada. Her life with Parks Canada has been filled with passion for and learning about Haida Gwaii, XaaydaGaay (Haidas), colonial history, conservation, archaeology, writing, and herself.