Kiidk'yaas, Sacred tree in North Coast Regional District, Canada
Kiidk'yaas is a Sitka spruce that grew in the North Coast Regional District of Canada and displayed golden needles rather than green ones because of a genetic mutation. The coloring was spread throughout the entire tree and made it visible from a distance.
In January 1997, forest engineer Grant Hadwin cut down this roughly 300-year-old tree to protest logging practices in British Columbia. The incident sparked nationwide discussions about conservation and forestry management.
The Haida community regards this tree as part of their oral tradition and calls it Kiidk'yaas, meaning "old tree" in their language. Local songs and stories feature the golden-needled spruce as a symbol passed through generations.
The University of British Columbia keeps a sapling grown from cuttings taken in 1977 from the original tree and now used for research. Visitors can view the young tree on campus, where it continues to produce golden needles.
After the felling, part of the wood was used to craft Six String Nation, a guitar incorporating materials from across Canada. The instrument travels the country and is played at concerts to represent community and cultural diversity.
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