Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island is the largest island on the west coast of North America, full of beauty and natural splendor it is home to 650,000 people, most who live on the southeast coast. The Island is 280 miles long and 50 miles wide and offers magnificent rain forests, towering mountains, sparkling blue seas, remote shell beaches, and secluded bays. Vancouver Island is the jewel of the Pacific with its mild Mediterranean climate, vibrant First Nations Communities, and magical vistas of the Gulf Islands.

Vancouver Island is the centre for "island hopping" to the many smaller islands scattered along her coast. It is also the location of British Columbia's capital city, Victoria, famous for its comfortable

Vancouver Island stretches from the urbanity of Victoria at its southern tip to Cape Scott at the northeast extreme. The east coast's rich fishing streams, farmlands, timber, tranquil sandy beaches and quaint villages make it an explorer's paradise.

Most of the west coast is lightly populated, with good highway connections. North Island is naturally rugged and raw with fewer amenities than the southern part with only 5% of the population living north of Campbell River. The area covers nearly half of Vancouver Island and is home to one of the largest concentrations of Grizzly Bears in B.C.

The powerful art and enthralling legends of Vancouver Islands’ ancient First Nations cultures have captured the imaginations of visitors for hundreds of years here. Their art is more popular and appreciated now than ever before and visitors are able to experience the connections between The First Nations People and the life forms of the land, sea and air while interacting with the artists, storytellers, and cultural leaders in their ancestral territories.

Throughout the communities, totem poles new and old stand as proud reminders of this heritage, with the figure representations from a mythological age. Combined with the presence of killer whales, seals, eagles, ravens, salmon, and other species that are as vibrant in the landscape today as they were in the past, visitors enter a timeless realm and, in the process, discover a new place in nature for themselves.

Throughout the centuries, Vancouver Islands First Nations people have carried on a fascinating heritage rich with legends of mystical creatures and ancient customs. The ceremonies, sites and places where the First Nations People gather follows the Island Highway along the eastern shoreline of the island from Victoria through Duncan and Nanaimo to Campbell River, where a ten minute ferry trip will take you to the territory of Cape Mudge. Alert Bay is a five hour drive north of Victoria on Highway 19 and three kilometers off the northeast coast of Vancouver Island.

The ocean is integral to life on Vancouver Island and to truly experience the island, getting out on the water is recommended. Boating, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, diving and whale-watching adventures abound. Exploring on the Island is a must and numerous First Nations tours are available for visitors to experience the people, the culture and the scenic beauty.

The Vancouver Island Chapter starts at the Ferry Terminals in Tswassen and then to Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island, where Totem Poles welcome visitors. Master carver Henry Hunt created three powerful poles at the ferry terminals for the project series of the Route of the Totems.

First Nations communities throughout the Island are welcoming visitors to learn from them through special events, cultural centres, historic sites, art galleries and eco-tours. They have proudly created a valuable and lasting legacy that continues to enrich their communities to this day.

A rare chance to see:

• Grizzly Bears
• Inside a Big House
• world's largest pole in diameter

How much?

• Village of totems free
• Eagle Viewing by donation