The Fundy Film Society

Haida Gwaii: On the Edge of the World

At a stunning low altitude, aerial cinematography sweeps over the Haida Gwaii, a breathtakingly beautiful archipelago off the British Columbia Northwest Coast. It takes us into the geographic heart of the Haida Gwaiian people, who thrived for more than 10,000 years until they were decimated through disease, rampant commercial logging and industrial over-fishing since contact. Today, the Haida Nation is recovering, exerting their sovereignty and winning battles against unsustainable logging and fishing.

Award-winning director Charles Wilkinson (Oil Sands Karaoke, Peace Out) turns his camera on the unique community uniting to protect land and sea for the next generation. Haida hereditary Chief Allan Wilson, renowned activist Guujaaw and non-indigenous eco-activist Severn Cullis-Suzuki work alongside scientists, organic farmers, artists and quirky islanders to create a synergy of sustainable development. But Haida Gwaii sits squarely in the path of the proposed Tar Sands seaway to Asia. The desperate fight to protect land and sea may be just beginning. (Lynne Fernie, reprinted from Hot Docs website)

Haida Gwaii: On the Edge of the World won the Best Canadian Feature Documentary Award at Hot Docs 2015.

“A wonderful film about the environment that doesn’t just talk about solutions, but shows people actually putting those ideas to good use.” (William Brownridge, Toronto Film Scene)

“…spectacular-looking, unforgettable…” (Marsha Lederman, The Globe and Mail)

“The genius of this movie is that you see most of the sides of this people. The film is not trying to force you to feel something, but to make you aware of something that is as true for the Haida people as it is for everyone—we have a limited planet, we need to make the best use of it we can in order to continue to be ourselves. Figuring out who that should be is the greatest challenge that the film extends to all who watch it.” (Jess Rogers, The Matinee)