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Over 1,000 pages of
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Funny how
one thing
leads to
another...
For Brandon Nelson and
Heather Christensen, it
began with the dream of
kayaking the length of the
Sea of Cortez.That led to
clearing out their garage...
and ultimately to
Chesapeake kayak kits.
“Building the boats ourselves
and then paddling
them for 72 days along
such a desolate and harsh
coast, in total comfort the
whole time...This is the
definition of Joy!” (See their
inspiring story in Sea
Kayaker, April 2002.)
Whether your dream is
long-distance or short,
we’ve got a kayak kit that
makes getting ready almost
as fun as getting there.
32 easy-to-build
quality boat kits.
THE PROGRAM TODAY
With the establishment of Gwaii Haanas
National Park Reserve and the Haida Heritage
Site, key elements of the Haida Gwaii
Watchmen program remain unchanged.
Watchmen are posted at all the previous
sites with the exception of Burnaby Narrows.
The mandate of the program continues
to be, first and foremost, the safeguarding
of Gwaii Haanas. In addition to protecting
the sites, Watchmen provide basic
information services and emergency assistance
to visitors.
Gwaii Haanas attracts visitors from
around the world who are drawn to the
natural beauty of its land and marine environments,
and to the extraordinary Haida
heritage found here. More than 500 archeological
and historical sites have been documented
in Gwaii Haanas itself, and it is
thought that at one time there may have
been more than 120 Haida villages and
camps throughout Haida Gwaii. About
twenty of these were permanent winter villages,
generally situated with easy access
to the river banks and coastal fisheries. During
the rest of the year, family groups engaged
in subsistence activities in the areas
traditionally owned or used by each group.
Not just a representation of the past,
Gwaii Haanas continues to be a source of
spiritual, cultural and economic activity to
the Haida people—resource harvesting and
Kayak Specialists
Kayaks & Gear
Rentals & Lessons
250-245-7887
610 Oyster Bay Drive, Ladysmith, BC
www.IslandOutdoorCentre.com
ceremonies remain an integral part of Haida
life. The Watchmen sites as well as other
sites throughout Gwaii Haanas continue to
be used seasonally by fishermen and others.
Watchmen sites are locations for resource
extraction, ceremony and for Haida
elders to pass on their culture to their young
people. The sites are also places where visitors
may witness a living culture.
Visitors to the Watchmen sites can expect
to share the site with up to a maximum
of eleven other people. If you are interested
in experiencing the living Haida
culture, you can travel independently, or
with a licenced operator. Your orientation
session will describe how you can get the
best out of your visit to Gwaii Haanas and
the Watchmen sites.
For reservations and an information package,
call 1-800-HELLO-BC (outside North
America: 250-387-1642). Email: gwaii.com
@qcislands.net. Web: www. parkscan.
harbour.com/gwaii. ❏
Thanks to Michele Deakin and
the Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve
Ed. Note: The final draft of a Heritage Tourism
Strategy for Haida Gwaii will be presented
to Islanders shortly. The Strategy was
developed by a Heritage Tourism Strategy
Working Group, made up of representatives
of all the major Islands’ communities. It incorporates
input from individuals, local
governments, and organizations, about
how to maintain heritage while encouraging
more local tourism.
Neil Frazer’s book offers
fascinating information
and detailed maps of the
most interesting areas in
Haida Gwaii based on his
four summers of research.
Included are anecdotes
about the people, history
and wildlife of the islands.
It comes with a handy coil
binding and useful appendices. Harbour Publishing,
2001. ISBN 1-55017-256-5, softcover,
B&W images, 174 pp. $29.95 Cdn.
Chesapeake Light Craft
1805 George Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 267-0137 info@clcboats.com
www.clcboats.com
42 www.WaveLengthMagazine.com February/March 2003