Credit unions care about their communities. On Friday, May 1st GyaaGang Totem Pole, Gina ‘láa SGun Good Fortune, carved by Kuuya Micheal Moody was unveiled and raised inside Northern Savings Credit Union’s Daajing Giids branch to honour Haida Title as part of Northern Savings' journey toward reconciliation.

The community gathered to witness a Food Burn in Spirit Square, followed by the unveiling, blessing, and raising of the GyaaGang.

“Northern Savings believes deeply in respect and partnership,” said Northern Savings President & CEO Stefan Delloch. “While other financial institutions are reducing services on the North Coast, we remain deeply committed to this area and to its people as true community partners. Allowing us to raise a GyaaGang provides us with the opportunity to show our respect to Haida land, culture, language, history, and to honour the Haida People.”

Read the full news release online here or below.

Source: Northern Savings Credit Union

Daajing Giids Community Gathers to Witness and Celebrate the Raising of GyaaGang Totem Pole Gina ‘láa SGun Good Fortune

A GyaaGang Totem Pole, Gina ‘láa SGun Good Fortune, carved by Kuuya Micheal Moody was unveiled and raised inside Northern Savings Credit Union’s Daajing Giids branch on Friday, May 1. The GyaaGang was raised to honour Haida Title as part of Northern Savings’ journey toward reconciliation.

The community gathered to witness a Food Burn in Spirit Square, followed by the unveiling, blessing, and raising of the GyaaGang. The celebration also included speeches, refreshments, and dancing from Hltaaxuulang Gud ad K’aajuu, the Friends Together Singing Dance Group.

Haida Hereditary Chief, Nang Jingwas Russ Jones, said, “I want to thank Northern Savings Credit Union for this event and for your Daal Naay (money house - branch). You’re certainly a part of this community and we rely on you. It is an honour to have Haida culture recognized today.”

Haida Nation President, Gaagwiis Jason Alsop, said, “We see each other make mistakes, we see each other have successes, we have all seen each other grow, we have seen each other through happy times, we have seen each other through sad times, so we all go through this experience and journey through life together as a nation and as a people.”

Northern Savings Credit Union is situated on the territory of the Haida Nation and the traditional territories of the Ts'msyen Nation. The credit union is working to make a difference for the businesses, organizations, and people of the region.

“Northern Savings believes deeply in respect and partnership,” said Northern Savings President & CEO Stefan Delloch. “While other financial institutions are reducing services on the North Coast, we remain deeply committed to this area and to its people as true community partners. Allowing us to raise a GyaaGang provides us with the opportunity to show our respect to Haida land, culture, language, history, and to honour the Haida People.”

Gina ‘láa SGun’s carver, Kuuya Micheal Moody, said, “my design depicts 'WaasGuu Sea Wolf, supernatural being which ferries the deep-sea frog – the embodiment of luck, wealth, and prosperity. Anyone who sees the deep-sea frog is said to receive good fortune in all forms”

The GyaaGang now stands in the Daajing Giids Branch as a visible and lasting recognition of Haida culture and partnership.

About Northern Savings Credit Union
Northern Savings has been part of the financial co-operative movement since 1940, operating on the traditional unceded lands of the Haida people and the traditional territories of the Ts’msyen Nation. Guided by its mission and vision statements, Northern Savings is committed to improving the financial health of more than 17,000 member-owners and building sustainable Northern communities.

For more information contact:
Stefan Delloch
President & CEO
Northern Savings Credit Union
stefandelloch@northsave.com