Ketchikan Indian Community Tlingit Language Program

This Xaad Kíl (Haida language) page is hosted by Ketchikan Indian Community Haida language learner/instructor, Skíl Jáadei (Linda Schrack). Skíl Jáadei will share Xaad Kíl resources and post audio and video clips of Xaad Kíl speakers and learners. Xaad Kíl is the ancestral language of the Haida people that originate from Haida Gwaii. It is endangered and also a language isolate, which means it is unrelated to other languages. Skíl Jáadei is the granddaughter of the late Robert and Nora Edenshaw-Cogo, who were very instrumental in the development of many Haida language booklets and dictionaries in the 1970’s. It is from their hard work and dedication that Skíl Jáadei became inspired to learn and teach Xaad Kíl to those interested. Ketchikan Indian Community (KIC) is a federally recognized Tribal Government organized under a Constitution and Bylaws ratified on January 27, 1940. KIC serves a membership of over 5,700 Alaska Native and American Indians in the Southeast Alaska Region. In August 2008, KIC Tribal Council adopted resolution KIC-08-38 to put an emphasis on the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian languages.