Haida Gwaii woman spends 25 years constructing stackwall buildings

More than 25 years ago, Netonia Yalte built a home for her family on Haida Gwaii. She used salvaged wood, sand and sawdust. Since then, Netonia has built many more of these homes all over Haida Gwaii. Most of them are tiny. She's also built sea walls and archways. Locals also began hiring Netonia to build things. Her work is unique and masterful. Netonia grew up in Quesnel, but in her 20s, picked up and headed for Haida Gwaii and that's where she's lived for the last 40 years. Today she lives alone in that first home she built on a secluded piece of land on Graham Island. It's surrounded by tiny cabins and a wall to protect the homestead from strong winds. Netonia built all of it. We tracked down Netonia this week on her recently acquired cellphone. (Photo courtesy Treehugger.com)