fbpx
Indigenous Culture & Experiences
Indigenous Culture of Vancouver Island North

As you begin your journey into Vancouver Island North, you will be traversing the lands and waters of the Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw peoples, also known as Kwakiutl, who have called this vibrant landscape home for millennia. These traditional and living inhabitants are dispersed into different local Nations and communities across the North Island and its surrounding islands and inlets. 

In Port Hardy, you will likely connect with community members from the Kwakiutl and Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw First Nation. If you travel to Alert Bay on Cormorant Island, you will be guests in the community of the ‘Na̱mg̱is First Nation. If you take a guided adventure with Indigenous-owned tour operators across the water to Kingcome Inlet on BC’s mainland, you will hear the stories of the Musg̱a̱makw Dzawada̱’enux̱w First Nation.

To truly immerse in the Indigenous history and culture found here, embark on incredible learning opportunities rooted in nature, creative expression, and story. Indigenous-owned tour operators, artists, and proprietors thrive here, ready to share their perspectives with those eager to listen and travel with intention. 

Read on to explore some of the spectacular experiences available, or try out the handy filter for Indigenous-owned experiences on our website.

Start your journey at the renowned u’mista Cultural Centre

The renowned U’mista Cultural Centre in Alert Bay on Cormorant Island is a great starting point for your adventure into Indigenous perspectives in Vancouver Island North. Take the 45-minute ferry from Port McNeill and enjoy the sweeping vistas back to the Island during the twenty-minute walk along the waterfront from the ferry to U’mista. Discover regalia and other important cultural artifacts, soak up Indigenous legends, and stand in reverence of the acclaimed Potlach Collection—carved masks rooted in mysticism and story that are used during ceremonies. In the summer, the T’sasala Cultural Group shares traditional dances with visitors at the ceremonial Big House.

A ten-minute walk away awaits the opportunity to see the world’s largest totem pole and its carved figures. Back toward the ferry terminal, the Culture Shock Interpretive Gallery is another immersive expression of Indigenous artistry and culture, while following the waterfront beyond it is where you can find a delicious lunch spot with sweeping coastal views: Indigenous-owned Gordie’s Restaurant.

Rugged nature, cultural connection

For those keen to blend wildlife viewing and otherworldly ecosystems with their experience of Indigenous culture, a series of tour operators depart from our major hubs. From Port McNeill, Sea Wolf Adventures takes you deep into the heart of the fantastical Great Bear Rainforest and home of the Musg̱a̱makw Dzawada̱’enux̱w First Nation. You may see whales, dolphins, eagles, and other coastal wildlife as you journey across the ocean to visit grizzly bears. Along the way, learn about both ancestral traditions and contemporary Indigenous interpretations of place and culture—even Sea Wolf Adventures’ boats are home to visual expressions of Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw language.

From Port Hardy, Coastal Rainforest Safaris heads out to find grizzly bears, wolves, birdlife, and marine mammals. The tours are infused with deep knowledge of Kwakwaka’wakw customs tied to this wildlife and the unique surrounding ecosystem. In particular, Coastal Rainforest Safaris is an exciting choice for keen birdwatchers—their Puffins and Sea Birds tour takes visitors to a secluded Important Bird Area; home to the densest seabird populations on Canada’s west coast.

Meanwhile, Vancouver Island North’s rugged and remote west coast beckons adventurers to head out with the Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’ / Che:k:tles7et’h’ First Nations’ Group of Businesses-owned West Coast Expeditions. Expedition and base camp kayaking excursions travel through inlets and around islands from near Kyuquot, past rich old-growth forest and empty beaches, with exclusive access to one-of-a-kind cultural experiences with local First Nation families.

Rest & Refuel with indigenous hospitality

Make Indigenous-owned accommodation the home base for your adventures in Vancouver Island North, and refuel in restaurants that celebrate seasonal, local ingredients and Indigenous cuisine. Port Hardy’s Kwa’lilas Hotel is named for the kwak’wala word meaning a place to sleep. A stay here blends premium hospitality with a showcase of Indigenous artworks and dining spaces that feature contemporary dishes rooted in Indigenous heritage and local flavours. 

If a stay in nature calls, Cluxewe Resort, on the ancestral homelands of the Kwakiutl First Nation, is nestled between the oceanfront and the Cluxewe River estuary. Watch for the blow of passing humpback whales, bring your binoculars for birdwatching, and breathe in the fresh salt air. Just across the water, sea-to-sky windows grace the bedrooms at the ‘Namgis First Nation-owned Cabins at Alert Bay

At Fair Harbour, Walter’s Cove, and Houpsitas Village, the Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Chek’tles7et’h’ First Nations are waiting to host you in several different accommodation options—from campsites and cabins to a sports fishing lodge and accessible suites.

Take the wild pledge

Since time immemorial, the rivers, forests, estuaries, and ocean of Vancouver Island North have been a vital source of sustenance, both nutritional and spiritual, for the Indigenous communities here. To help ensure vital traditions and cultural expressions interwoven with land and sea continue for generations, we created the Wild Pledge. This is a fantastic way to self-educate and commit to protecting the ecosystems you are travelling through before you arrive. Furthermore, it guides you to navigate these shared spaces with intention and respect for Indigenous individuals and places of cultural and spiritual significance. For more, see the blog on encouraging the celebration of local cultures, traditions, and heritage.

Share
Tags
Scroll back to top
Explore Vancouver Island North
Sign up for travel tips & deals straight to your inbox!