CANADIAN ADVENTURE: KLAHOOSE WILDERNESS RESORT IN BRITISH COLUMBIA'S DESOLATION SOUND

Interpreters at Klahoose Wilderness Resort.

Klahoose Wilderness Resort, perched on the water's edge of Homfray Channel in the temperate rain forest between BC's Coast Mountains and Desolation Sound on the Sunshine Coast, is located on Klahoose Nation traditional territory. Formerly Homfray Lodge, the Klahoose Nation purchased the lodge in 2020, with a focus on Indigenous adventure travel.

"Welcoming visitors to our territory and home brings opportunities and strengthens Klahoose First Nations' framework of modern life and aligns with our community vision for the future," says Chief Kevin Peacey. 

Photo by Regan Hatley

The eco-resort opened in the spring of 2021. Its 6,100-square-foot cedar timber structure accommodates 14-26 guests among four spacious rooms in the main lodge and in three private one and two-bedroom cabins. Decor in the lodge rooms and cabins features local Indigenous artwork from surrounding communities. 

Main Great Room 

Lodge Room 

Klahoose Wilderness Resort Cabin

The Desolation Sound resort operates from mid-may to mid-October. Local Indigenous guides, cultural interpreters and knowledgeable hosts lead cultural programming and wilderness experience. Adventures range from sea kayaking and boat excursions to the Klahoose's cultural center on Cortes Island. There is also heli-sightseeing and grizzly bear viewing excursions in Toba Inlet.

Nightly Campfires

As far as getting there, the resort may be accessed from Vancouver, Vancouver Island, Seattle and beyond. Pacific Coastal Airlines offers regularly scheduled flights to Powell River, and travel is also available via BC Ferries along with chartered boat, seaplane and helicopters. 

Two all-inclusive packages are available during the two seasons: 

Discover Kahoose Package

May 12-August 24, 2022

Grizzly Bears of Toba Inlet Package

 August 25-October 13, 2022

Included in the rates, which range from $2,395 to $3,395 per person, are accommodations, meals, Wi-Fi, boat transfer from Lund to the resort, pick-up from Powell River Airport and grizzly bear viewing excursion in Toba Inlet. Not included are taxes, service fee, flights and heli-sightseeing. 

Packages are based on a three-night stay arriving Thursday and departing Sunday, and a four-night stay arriving Sunday and departing Thursday. 

Klahoose Wilderness Resort

250.935.8539

#203-4400 Marine Avenue

Powell River, BC, Canada V6B 5A7

All photographs courtesy Klahoose Wilderness Resort unless otherwise noted.

 

BC FERRIES NAMES AND CHRISTENS FIFTH ISLAND CLASS FERRY

BC Ferries' fifth Island Class ferry as it departed Damen Shipyards in Galati, Romania bound for British Columbia. Photo Credit: BC Ferries

BC Ferries revealed the name of its latest Island Class ferry at a naming and hull christening ceremony at its fleet maintenance facility in Richmond, BC on December 14, 2021. Island Kwigwis is the newest vessel to join the fleet and begins service in the spring of 2022 -- allowing for two-ship operation on the Nanaimo Harbour-Gabriola Island route. 

The name Kwigwis, which means 'eagle of the sea', was selected with support from the 'Namgis First Nation and celebrates the beauty of the journey and connection to coastal communities.

In keeping with maritime tradition, BC Ferries selects sponsors for each of the ships, with each sponsor bestowing good luck on the ship and protection for those who travel on them. Each Island Class ship has a community sponsor and a sponsor from the BC Ferries family.

"Island Kwigwis represents a small step on the path to fostering our relationships with First Nations, embracing our environmental responsibilities, while maintaining our commitment to the communities we serve," said Mark Collins, BC Ferries President & CEO. 

Island Class ferries have have a capacity to carry up to 47 vehicles and up to 450 passengers and crew. They are battery equipped ships designed for future full electric operation. The ships are fitted with hybrid technology that bridges the gap until shore charging infrastructure and funding becomes available in BC. The design of the new vessels, from the exterior details to the engines, reduces underwater radiated noise, lowers emission and improves customer service. 

Earlier this year, BC Ferries and the First Peoples' Cultural Council revealed Coast Salish artwork for its newest Salish Class Ferry. 

BC FERRIES AND FIRST PEOPLES' CULTURAL COUNCIL REVEAL COAST SALISH ARTWORK FOR NEWEST SALISH CLASS FERRY

Artist Maynard Johnny Jr. with his Coast Salish artwork

BC Ferries and the First Peoples' Cultural Council have revealed the design for the Salish Heron. As the fourth vessel of the Salish Class ferries -- the first three were built in 2016 -- the Salish Heron will enter service in the spring of 2022 in the Southern Gulf Islands. 

Maynard Johnny Jr. of the Penelakut First Nations created the artwork, which was selected from 36 submissions. Criteria for selection included artistic excellence; Coast Salish artistic style; and the ability to express the vessel's name through artwork while effective using the available vessel service. 

"Herons and my people once inhabited the area in what is now known as the town of Chamainus," said Maynard Johnny Jr. "The majestic birds were once plentiful and provided the people guidance on where fish were in abundance." The BC artist explained that he created a Salish Heron using traditional Salish design with contemporary colors that have become his signature as a Coast Salish artist. "The design reflects the long beak and long neck of a Great Blue Heron and its wing, tail feathers and talon," he explained. His design will be displayed on both the exterior and interior of the vessel for travelers to view.

Salish Heron is the fourth Salish Class vessel to be bestowed with indigenous art. The name and artwork honors and recognizes the Coast Salish as the original mariners of the Salish Sea, representing both the land and culture of British Columbia. The name Salish Heron was selected during a public naming contest for the Salish Class ferries in 2015. The Salish Heron is identical to the three Salish Class ferries built for BC Ferries in 2016. The vessel has a capacity to carry at least 138 vehicles and up to 600 passengers and crew. 

Vancouver Art Gallery's 'Charles Edenshaw' Exhibition First Major Survey of Haida Artist's Work

Haida artist Charles Edenshaw (1839-1920), who worked in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, was an exceptional carver of wood, silver and argillite. The Northwest Coast artist combined traditional Haida design with his own unique and elegant personal style. Vancouver Art Gallery's exhibition, Charles Edenshaw, opens on October 26, 2013 and marks the first major survey of Edenshaw's work. It features more than 200 pieces in all media, from public and private collections around the world. The exhibition runs through February 2, 2014.

It's the largest number of Edenshaw works ever assembled, and Haida Chief and exhibition advisor James Hart says the art is a testament to Edenshaw's individual spirit and singular talent. "All the pieces that Charles created carry the respect of his people, ancestors and his family," said Hart. "To be connected to this line of important Haida cultural prerogatives and the changing ways of our future, we must carry on, in the Haida Way." Charles Edenshaw is organized around five central themes: Haida Traditions, Narrative, Style, New Forms and Legacies. 

The Vancouver Art Gallery has a long history of presenting First Nations Art. Since featuring BC Coast Indian Art in 1941, the Gallery continues to present both contemporary and historic Northwest Coast art in such landmark group exhibitions as People of the Potlatch (1956), Arts of the Raven (1967), Down from the Shimmering Sky: Masks of the Northwest Coast (1998), Raven Travelling: Two Centuries of Haida Art (2006) and Beat Nation: Art, Hip Hop and Aboriginal Culture (2012). VAG has also presented solo exhibition of artists Bill Reid, Robert Davidson, Marianne Nicolson and James Hart.

Charles Edenshaw was organized by the Vancouver Art Gallery and curated by Robin K. Wright, Director of the Bill Holm Center for the Study of Northwest Coast Art and Daina Augaitis, Chief Curator/Associate Director. Haida advisors included James Hart and Robert Davidson.

Image Credits

(Left) Platter, pre-1894, argilite, The Field Museum, Chicago Photo: The Field Museum (#A114412_05d, John Weinstein)
(Middle) Charles Edenshaw (attr.) Eagle Cane, late 19th century, wood, ivory, abalone shell, silver, 91.7 x 9x4 cm. Collection of Museum of Anthropology, University of British Columbia
(Right) Sea Bear Bracelet, late 19th century, silver, McMichael Canadian Art Collection, Purchase 1974, 1981.108.1 Photo: Trevor Mills, Vancouver Art Gallery 

Second Annual Victoria International Chalk Art Festival Features Professional Chalk Artists

Leon Keer is a Dutch pop-surrealist artist from the Netherlands who is a world leading artist in anamorphic (3D) street art.

The second annual Victoria International Chalk Art Festival returns to Vancouver Island September 14-15, 2013. The free festival, the largest of its kind in Canada, features  professional chalk artists at three venues in Victoria: Centennial Square, Government Street, and Bay Centre's lower centre court. 

This year's chalk artists represent the region and the world, and include Amsterdam's Leon Keer. One of the world's leading 3D chalk artists, Kerr will present a 20' x 20' 3D chalk painting at Bay Centre. He started his painting September 11, three days prior to the festival weekend, so he'll be able to complete his work by the conclusion of the festival. 

This year's festival theme is First Nations in British Columbia. A number of the artists, including Keer, will be painting First Nations' scenes or people. Prominent First Nations' artist Jamin Zuroski will be painting with San Diego artist Lori Escalera at Centennial Square. 

In addition to the chalk art, there will be a performance stage at Centennial Square featuring singers, dancers, drummers and local music acts. The Square will also host a kids' chalk zone. 

Organizers are expecting more than 30,000 people to attend the festival, sponsored by the Victoria International Chalk Art Society. Executive Director John Vickers says his organization took deliver of approximately 10,000 pieces of chalk and they're looking forward to a weekend of sunshine!

Note to Festival Goers: Government Street will be closed to vehicle traffic from Fort to Yates Street, and will feature as many as 40 artists who will create 8' x 10' chalk paintings within the closure zone.

Susanne Ma was born in Germany and raised in Taiwan. She started street painting in 2002.

Vancouver's Stanley Park Turns 125 Years Old: Free Party in the Park

Inukshuk in Stanley Park. Photo by Sue Frause.

Stanley Park officially opened on September 27, 1888. Originally it was the Coast Salish territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations. Designated in 1988 as a National Historic Site of Canada, 2013 marks Stanley Park's 125th anniversary. And this weekend, August 24-25, the City of Vancouver and the Park Board is throwing a free party in the park. 

Cyclers and walkers on Seawall Park overlooking the Burrard Inlet. Photo by Sue Frause.

Stanley Park attracts more than eight million visitors a year. Its 400 hectares (1,001 acres) include 27 km of forest trails and a popular 8.8 km (5.5 miles) seawall (pictured above) used by inline skaters, cyclists and walkers. Named after Lord Stanley, who was Governor General of Canada (and who the Stanley Cup is named after), it served as a military reserve in the mid-1800s. The Nine O'Clock Gun near Brockton Point is still fired off each evening at 9 PM. In 1939, an aquarium opened next to the park on English Bay, which was managed by Ivar Haglund, who went on to start Ivar's Acres of Clams -- a successful seafood chain in Seattle. The Vancouver Aquarium opened at its present location in 1956.

A view of Stanley Park and Vancouver aboard Helijet to Victoria. Photo by Sue Frause.

A Coast Salish traditional welcome with representatives from the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Wautuh Nation will officially welcome visitors to the Celebrate Stanley Park on Saturday and Sunday at noon at Lumbermen's Arch. More than 200 activities will take place during the two-day family event from noon to 10 PM at five outdoor venues. The free events include children's entertainers; Canadian bands (Arkells, Born Ruffians, Washboard Union, The Matinee, We Are The City, Alexandria Maillot); walking tours; dance performances; face painters; sports demos and games; vintage car display; food and premium licensed areas. 

Bicyclists on Seawall Park looking back at Coal Harbour. Photo by Sue Frause.

Ticketed evening performances include Boca del Lupo's Fall Away Home (a free outdoor modern fairytale) and a Theatre Under the Stars singalong with the hit movie musical Grease. On Friday, the day before the weekend celebration, a free Sunrise Swim at Second Beach Pool will be held from 6:30-10:00 AM. It's hosted by CBC Radio and will be broadcast live. Canoe races by the Coast Salish will be held on Sunday from 9:00 AM to noon, launching off Deadman's Island. 

Stanley Park's restaurants, concessions and attractions will be operating all weekend long. A fleet of food trucks will feature pizza, pulled pork sandwiches, dim sum, fish 'n chips, grilled cheese and more. There will be a salmon barbecue from Salmon n' Bannock and a chicken barbecue from Railtown Cafe at the Live at Second Beach festival zone.

Summer sunset in Stanley Park overlooking English Bay. Photo by Sue Frause.

Vancouver Island's Dididaht band members react to shooting death in Seattle

The victim of a deadly shooting by a police officer in Seattle was a Dididhat First Nation member. It is located northwest of Victoria on Vancouver Island and is part of the Nuu-chah-nulth-aht.

John T. Williams, 50, was shot and killed by a Seattle police officer on August 30, 2010 in downtown Seattle. Understandably, Wiliams' family and fellow Dididhat band members are shocked and saddened by the killing.

South of the 49th Parallel, Native Americans are also questioning the fatal shooting, as reported in The Seattle Times.

Hockey Canada unveils Team Canada jerseys

I don't know what the most popular logo wear will be for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games, but these cool hockey shirts will be flying off the shelves --- and being added to online shopping carts.

The Nike made shirt was designed by First Nations artist Debra Sparrow, who lives outside of Vancouver in the community of Musqueam.

You can read more about the cool shirts here.