haida gwaii 2016
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July 312, 2016
Gwaay Randy
Hellobc.com
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Our Adventure Canada guide will lead this
incredible expedition to Haida Gwaii, focusing
on Canadas Haida Nation, one of North
Americas most culturally rich and developed
groups of indigenous people. Signs of the
ancient and living culture remain throughout the
islandslonghouses and intricately designed
totem poles tell a story of rich human history.
We are privileged to be able to visit these
ancient sites with Haida interpreters, sharing
stories, history, and archaeological marvels of
Canadas heritage.
Well travel creeks threading through old-
growth forests and navigate the rugged
headlands and waterways between the many
communities of the islands. Well take in views
of incredible landscapes and search for the
elusive wildlifepuns, auklets, and eagles
as well as stellar sea lions, and a variety of
whales. Indeed, the plethora of species that call
Haida Gwaii home have led to the aectionate
nickname Galapagos of the North.
The richness of the landscape and the
sophistication of Haida society allowed for the
development of a strong artistic outpouring
in visual arts and ceremonial life. We will
encounter both on our journey, for Haida
culture remains alive and vital. Guests will
have the opportunity to learn about the
customs and traditions of this great
peoplea people whose bond to the naturalworld is enduring and reciprocal. This bond is
reected in their unique art and reverent way
of life.
This reverence means that the cultural
landmarks are slowly returning to the land
from whence they cameancient totems and
dwellings are slowly slipping back to the earth
and before long will disappear entirely. See
these living, ever-changing markers of a cultural
epoch before they are gone forever.
Join us aboard the Island Roamer and take
a step through the living history of one of
Canadas true cultural treasures. Bring your
camera, journal, and sketchpadfor Haida
Gwaii is one of the worlds most inspiring
places.
MARINE WILDLIFE
Because the islands lie on the edge of thecontinental shelf, a particularly robust plankton
base bolsters the food chain. This plankton
forms a rich feeding area for all manner of
wildlifeparticularly whales. Historically, blue,
sperm, minke, n, humpback, and orca whales
have all called Haida Gwaii home. Though
whaling in the early twentieth century devastated
their populations, humpback and n whales are
now on the rebound and are regularly spotted
by visitors. Harbour seals and Stellar sea lionscongregate in large communities on shore and
ply the waters for sh.
LAND ANIMALS
The Queen Charlotte Islands black bear is
the largest in the world. In isolation from their
mainland brethren these bears developed a
larger lower jaw to aid in shoreline foraging.
Both black-tailed deer and raccoons have
ourished on the islandproblematically.Both species were introduced to the region,
and without natural predators their ecological
impact is becoming more pronounced
each year. Bird colonies are at risk from
the racoons and the local cedar forests
foundation of Haida cultureare suering
from the over-browsing of the deer.
Haida Gwaii:The Queen Charlotte Islands
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Your Guide: Heather Beecroft
Heather has worked to promote Indigenous artists and their work
during a lengthy teaching career and within the cooperative system.
For the past fteen years she has marketed directly to her clients via
lectures and art shows. Travel is her passion, which she shares with
fun and vigorous enthusiasm in her connections with all adventurers. A
champion of culture, Heather works with Adventure Canada to develop
innovative programming and partnerships.
HAIDA CULTURE
The Haida name for the southern islands
is Gwaii Haanas, which aptly translates to
islands of beauty or place of wonder.
As a nation, the Haida were divided into two
social groups, or moieties, called Raven and
Eagle. Their mythology, like that of many other
coastal tribes, was based on the epic cycle
of Raven and his exploits. A trickster to the
core, Raven will set the universe in order at
one moment only to throw it into chaos at the
next. A greedy, mischievous lecher, Ravennevertheless unintentionally teaches mankind
how to live well. He disguised himself to enter
the home of the Sky Chief, from whom he stole
the sun, moon, and stars to give to humankind.
Most Haida objects are decorated with
creststhe gures of animals, birds, sea
creatures, and mythic beings. These crests
are used to identify the moiety and often
the lineage of their owners. The precisearrangement and interaction of various crests
and recurring motifs act as a personal signier,
and much can be gleaned from an individuals
totem. The true text of a single totem pole
is impossible to read without a thorough
knowledge of the mythology involved.
Although the Haida have almost seventy crest
gures, less than twenty are in general use. The
orca whale in particular endures as a symbol of
power, intelligence, cunning, and skill.
Permanent Haida villages consisted of one
(or more) rows of houses along a beach.
Generally, the house belonging to the town
chief was larger and located near the centre
of the settlement. According to myth, the
house was one of the main contributions thatRaven made to Haida life (after stealing the
idea from Beaver). These houses formed the
centre of Haida social, political, and economic
life. They were built out of western red cedar
with a framework of corner posts and massive
structural beams.
Like their houses, the Haidas canoes were
hewn from red cedarthey were exquisite
craft and widely praised by the chiefs of othernations along the coast. Like their totems,
houses, and tools, these craft were intricately
adorned with crests, symbols, and motifs to
identify their owners and their stories.
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Day 3: Graham Island
Begin your day with a hot breakfast
prior to your departure for the
Island Roamer. Our guide will keep
you up to date on all departure and
check-out times. Please be sure to
keep luggage on hand as you leavethe hotel.
We will be enjoying a shuttle
land tour of the area before being
transported to the ferry landing
at Alliford Bay. There, we will
be ferried across to Skidegate
Landing on Graham Island, a trip of
approximately twenty-ve minutes.
Our rst stop is the Haida Heritage
Centre, Kaay Llnagaay, for a guided
tour; afterward, we will enjoy a traditional Haida
lunch and then return to the ferry. We will move
onward to Moresby Island and head to Moresby
Camp to rendezvous with the Island Roamerand
her crew.
After boarding, introductions will be made; a
safety orientation and cabin assignments will
take place shortly thereafter. Dinner will beserved, and we will spend our rst evening at
anchor, departing early the following morning
into the waters of Southern Moresby Island to
explore the Gwaii Haanas Park Reserve.
Day 4-9: Moresby Island
We will spend these days exploring the eastern
and southern shores of Moresby Island. Daily
activities include wildlife watching and shore
excursions to a wide variety of sites includingancient villages, old growth forests, beautiful
creeks and shoreline intertidal zones. We hope
to spot humpback whales, porpoises, dolphins,
sea lions, and orca whales. A plethora of
seabirds including puns, auklets, and eagles
call this area home.
We also hope to catch sight of the mighty Gwaii
Haanas black bear foraging along the shoreline
and can expect to be amazed by the myriad
intertidal creatures found in these nutrient-rich
areas.
We visit the ancient Haida village of SGgan
Gwaay, a UNESCOWorld Heritage Site. There,
we will see the totem poles in their solemn
watch along the shoreline.
Each evening we will anchor in a dierent
secluded bay, with time for relaxing and
reection as well as enjoying the food aboard
the Island Roamer. While at anchor, there are
ample opportunities to explore the shoreline by
kayak.
Day 10: Sandspit
The voyage will nish mid-morning with
disembarkation at Moresby Camp and atransfer via charter bus to Sandspit airport. This
trip takes approximately one hour and you may
expect arrival at midday. Prior to your return to
Vancouver, you will have the opportunity to do
any last-minute shopping at the park oce and
souvenir vendors within the airport. Lunches
may be purchased from local restaurants or at
the airport.
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Originally built as a luxurious private yacht in
1984, the Island Roamercompleted a major
renovation in 2003 to update the cabins and
all safety systems. She features eight private
cabins (double occupancy), three heads with
hot showers, and a comfortable salon with
a natural history library. On deck, the large
deckhouse provides a comfortable spot to
watch for wildlife.
A certied Canadian Ministry of Transport
passenger vessel, the Island Roamerhas all of
the safety equipment, electronic navigation ai
and features you would expect from a vessel
of her standard. All cabins have adequate
storage space for your bags, personal items,
and jackets. Coat hangers and life jackets are
stowed in every cabin for your convenience.
There is electricity in each room, so you can
charge your camera batteries and enjoy a
reading light in the evening.
The Island Roamer
Island Roamer Particulars
Designed by Stan Huntingford
Built by Cooper Yachts in 1983
Canadian Ministry of Transport certied
for 18 passengers Length 68
Beam 17 10
Displacement 45,300 kg
Draft 2m
Sails: - 1,682 square metres of sail
area - Cruising Spinnaker 181
square metres
Fuel 3,785 litres
Water 3,785 litres
Engines twin Perkins turbo-charged diesels
Generator Onan 7.5 KW 120 V Cruising speed 8 knots
Two double and three single sea kayaks
4.5-metre Polaris inatable tender
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Photography by Craig Minielly at Aura Photographics
A unique Aboriginal art experience, this stunning boutique hotel in the heart of Vancouver is theresult of a partnership between six of the citys best hotel designers and six Aboriginal artists.
Together, they produced eighteen installation piecesone for each room. The hotel also
features a traditional sweat lodge and smudge room, as well as all the comforts of high-scale
lodging.
Skwachys Lodge Vancouver
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HOW TO REGISTER
To register for an Adventure Canada expedition each participant
must complete the registration form and return along with a
$1000 USD deposit.THE REGISTRATION FORM IS DOUBLE
SIDED AND YOUR SIGNATURE IS REQUIRED ON BOTH
SIDES.By returning the registration form and deposit you are
acknowledging and agreeing to the Terms and Conditions and
release required for participation on any Adventure Canada
excursion. All cheques must be made out to: Adventure Canada.
Full payment by credit card is subject to credit card pricing.
ITINERARIES
Weather, sea, and government regulations may require changes
to be made to the itineraries and/or the cancellation of certain
shore excursions. Every attempt, within the limits of law, time
and safety, will be made to adhere to the itineraries described.
There may be a planned alternate for your route, please inquireat the time of booking. In the event of changes, passengers are
not entitled to any refund or other compensation. Expedition
fees are based on group participation. Should you choose not
to take part in any activity or make use of services provided, no
refund will be given. Vessels and dates are subject to change.
PRE-DEPARTURE INFORMATION
Prior to your tour we will send you a pre-departure package
including a statement of account, log in details to access your
online prole, a booklet describing life aboard the ship, reading
list, packing suggestions and other useful travel tips.
ONLINE PROFILE
Adventure Canada collects personal information from our
passengers via a secure online account. You will be required
to provide select medical and personal information and
acknowledgement of select liabilities. Online accounts are set
up by booking reservation. This means that all passengers on
a given reservation will have access to each others information.
You will be asked to acknowledge this process on our reservation
form by checking off the box I/we agree that all passenger details
will be viewable by all persons on this registration/reservation. If
you prefer to have individual access to the online account please
do not check this box on the reservation form and advise your
Adventure Specialist by calling or communicating your request
by email. If you prefer to provide your personal information to
Adventure Canada by mail or fax please contact us and we will
send you paper copies. We ask that your personal information
be completed at your earliest convenience, but at least 120 days
prior to departure. You will not receive your nal documents until
these forms are completed and submitted.
INSURANCE
Adventure Canada strongly advises all passengers to obtain
travel insurance at the time of deposit. If you have not yet
purchased your commercial airfare you may increase your
insurance coverage afterwards. By not purchasing coverage
at the time of booking you are not fully covered. Adventu
Canadas cancellation terms apply to all passengers. Emergenc
Medical and Evacuation Insurance is required for participation
all Adventure Canada expeditions.
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Adventure Canada expeditions are intended for people
reasonably good health. Zodiac cruises and transfer times ca
be lengthy. On the Island Roamer you must be able to clim
stairs between decks. You must also be able to climb the extern
ladder in order to transer to the Zodiac landing craft. Our guide
and crew are available to assist you in and out of the Zodiac
Adventure Canada expeditions may involve extensive walking
variable weather over sometimes hilly, uneven terrain.
ZODIAC CRAFT
Zodiacs are the favoured means of transportation for all ouexpeditions and, indeed, wherever shallow waters and beache
ring the shoreline. They are stable, versatile craft which cruis
at an approximate speed of four knots, and in windy weathe
can make for rather splashy rides. We therefore recommen
wearing wet weather gear for Zodiac transfers. Life preserve
are absolutely compulsory. Zodiac landings will generally enta
disembarking onto rocky or gravelly beaches. The beac
landings may be wet, meaning that there may be some spray e
route to shore, and that you may have to step into water up t
25 cm/10 inches deep. Rubber boots are highly recommended
MEDICAL FACILITIES
This expedition is intended for persons in good healt
Passengers who are not t for long trips for any reason
including disability, heart or other health conditions, are advise
not to join the tour. Should any such condition become apparen
we reserve the right to decline embarkation. Our vessel is n
equipped to handle serious medical conditions. Medical an
Emergency Evacuation insurance is mandatory and may b
purchased through Adventure Canada at the time of booking. A
passengers must carry a minimum of $75,000 USD per perso
emergency medical and evacuation coverage. This may n
cover the full cost of a medical emergency. Additional expense
are the full responsibility of the passenger
GRATUITIES
Our crew works hard and tips are heartily appreciated. In fairnes
to all of those who work together to make your cruise enjoyable
tips are collected at the end of the voyage and distribute
equitably among the crew. Although we leave tip amounts t
your discretion, in the past many passengers have asked for
recommended amount. We suggest a rate of $15USD per da
per passenger, as a kind and generous offering.
Important Information
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CONTACT:
Adventure Canada
14 Front St. S.
Mississauga, ON, L5H 2C4
Phone: 905-271-4000
or 1-800-363-7566
Web: www.AdventureCanada.com