Our Story
At Xaayda Wellness & Skincare, we pride ourselves on being a premier natural skincare manufacturer rooted in the breathtaking beauty of Haida Gwaii. Founded by Lesley, who began her journey over 12 years ago crafting skincare products, teas, and balms for her family, our brand embodies a deep commitment to quality and authenticity. Lesley's passion for holistic wellness led her to establish Standing Spruce, a venture that not only flourished but also inspired her to return to her homeland. Through Xaayda Wellness, she channels her expertise and creativity into luxurious skincare solutions that honor the rich traditions of the islands. Our products are meticulously crafted using natural ingredients, reflecting the essence of Haida Gwaii and its vibrant ecosystem. We believe in giving back to our community, ensuring that our practices support the land and people that inspire us. Join us on this journey to nurture your skin and spirit with the healing power of nature.
Our Mission
At Xaayda Wellness Society, our mission is to advance community wellness, food sovereignty, cultural revitalization, and environmental stewardship through accessible education, mentorship, and land-based learning opportunities. We create programs that support youth, families, Elders, and community members in reconnecting with traditional foods, medicines, harvesting practices, and Indigenous knowledge systems while strengthening relationships with the land and waters that sustain us.
Through workshops, training programs, educational resources, community initiatives, and intergenerational knowledge-sharing, we preserve and promote Indigenous teachings while building healthier, more resilient, and self-determined communities. Our work increases access to culturally relevant education, strengthens local capacity, and supports the transfer of traditional knowledge to future generations.
We are committed to developing sustainable community resources, fostering youth leadership, supporting lifelong learning, and creating opportunities for meaningful participation in cultural, environmental, and wellness-focused activities. By investing in education, stewardship, and community capacity-building, we help address barriers to wellness, strengthen food security, and support long-term social, cultural, and environmental outcomes.
Our vision is a future where Indigenous knowledge, cultural practices, and community-led solutions thrive; where people have the skills, resources, and confidence to care for themselves, their communities, and the environment; and where future generations inherit strong cultural foundations, healthy ecosystems, and the knowledge needed to flourish.
Together, we are building resilient communities rooted in wellness, reciprocity, cultural continuity, and respect for the land, waters, and traditions that connect us all.
Vision
At Xaayda Wellness Society, we believe that the future of our communities is rooted in the knowledge, relationships, and teachings that have sustained our people for generations. Our vision is to strengthen food sovereignty, cultural wellness, environmental stewardship, and self-sufficiency by creating opportunities for youth, families, and community members to learn directly from the land, waters, Elders, and knowledge holders.
Through education, mentorship, traditional harvesting, seed stewardship, agriculture, food preservation, and plant medicine knowledge, we seek to reconnect people with the resources and teachings that surround them. We are committed to creating accessible learning opportunities that empower future generations to carry forward traditional knowledge while building resilient and healthy communities.
Inspired by the beauty and abundance of Haida Gwaii, we recognize the vital role that our forests, oceans, plants, foods, and medicines play in our collective well-being. Through sharing, learning, and working together, we can honour our ancestors, strengthen our communities, and inspire future generations to care for and protect the natural world for years to come.
Key Elements of the Business
Xaayda Wellness Society is an Indigenous-led organization based on Haida Gwaii that is deeply rooted in Haida culture, stewardship, food sovereignty, wellness, and community well-being.
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Sustainable Resource Harvesting: We prioritize responsible harvesting, stewardship, and the protection of culturally significant plants, foods, and medicines. Knowledge shared through our programs is rooted in respect for the land and waters of Haida Gwaii, ensuring future generations can continue to benefit from these resources while honouring the teachings of our Elders and knowledge holders.
Environmental Stewardship & Conservation Xaayda Wellness Society promotes environmental responsibility through conservation initiatives, sustainable harvesting practices, seed stewardship, habitat protection, and community education. We support efforts that strengthen the long-term health and resilience of the ecosystems that sustain our communities.
Community-Centered learning: Our work is focused on serving the community through educational programs, workshops, mentorship opportunities, resource development, and knowledge-sharing initiatives. We strive to create meaningful opportunities for people of all ages to reconnect with traditional foods, medicines, harvesting practices, and cultural teachings
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Cultural Preservation and Education: Preserving and sharing traditional knowledge is at the heart of our work. We support the documentation and transmission of Indigenous knowledge related to traditional foods, medicines, stewardship, agriculture, and cultural practices. Through educational resources, workshops, and community engagement, we help ensure this knowledge remains accessible for future generations.
Food Sovereignty & Self-Sufficiency: Xaayda Wellness Society is committed to strengthening Indigenous food systems and supporting greater self-sufficiency through traditional harvesting, seed saving, community growing initiatives, food preservation, and food sovereignty education. We believe healthy communities are built through strong relationships with food, land, and culture.
Our Team
Our Team
Xaayda Wellness Society is led by Indigenous community members who are deeply connected to the lands, waters, and cultural traditions that shape our work. Our team brings together lived experience, traditional knowledge, community leadership, and a shared commitment to strengthening wellness, food sovereignty, cultural preservation, and environmental stewardship throughout Haida Gwaii.
Founded by Lesley Assu, a Haida woman, mother, herbalist, farmer, and community advocate, the Society was created from a desire to ensure that traditional knowledge related to food systems, medicines, harvesting practices, and cultural teachings continues to be shared with future generations. Our work is guided by the teachings of Elders, knowledge holders, harvesters, and community members whose experiences and wisdom help shape our programs and priorities.
We believe the strongest solutions come from within our communities. By bringing together Indigenous knowledge, practical experience, and community collaboration, we create opportunities for learning, mentorship, and meaningful participation. Our team is committed to building respectful partnerships, supporting intergenerational knowledge transfer, and creating programs that are grounded in Indigenous values, cultural protocols, and community needs.
Together, we are working to strengthen community capacity, preserve cultural knowledge, support food sovereignty, and create lasting resources that will benefit future generations across Haida Gwaii.
Innovation; Part of our Culture
Innovation has always been part of Haida culture. Long before modern technology, Haida people were explorers, traders, builders, artists, and skilled resource managers who adapted to the changing conditions of the islands and surrounding oceans. Innovation was not viewed as separate from culture—it was culture. From the design of ocean-going canoes capable of travelling vast distances along the Pacific Coast, to sophisticated systems of food preservation, fishing technologies, and the stewardship of forests and marine resources, Haida people continuously observed, learned, and improved upon the knowledge passed down through generations. Curiosity, adaptability, and a deep understanding of the natural world allowed communities to thrive in one of the most dynamic environments on the Northwest Coast.
Learning was woven into daily life and grounded in experience. Knowledge was shared through observation, mentorship, storytelling, and participation on the land and sea. Families cultivated relationships with the places that sustained them, learning when to harvest, how to care for resources, and how to ensure abundance for future generations. While not farming in the agricultural sense common today, Haida people actively managed and stewarded important food resources, creating systems that encouraged sustainability and long-term productivity. This spirit of learning, innovation, and stewardship continues today, reminding us that caring for our communities begins with caring for the knowledge, lands, waters, and relationships that sustain us.