Graham
Graham Island - Haida Gwaii
Two islands make up the majority of the land mass for Haida Gwaii: Graham Island and Moresby Island. Graham Island lies to the north of where Copper Bay Lodge is located.
Graham Island comprises 2,500 square miles and most of it is accessible by road. It is also much more densely populated than Moresby Island to the south.
Queen Charlotte is the first stop as you head north, and it is a wonderful, artistic community with a very vivid ambiance. Soon after you will reach Skidegate Village. Legend says that during the late 1700's and early 1800's - a peak period of otter fur trading - Skidegate was named after a chief of the First Nation village.
An explorer named Daniel Pender surveyed the waterway in 1866, changing the name from Skit-ei-get, meaning "red paint stone", to Skidegate. This is home to the incredible Haida Heritage Centre, one of the most remarkable museums in all of Canada.
The Haida culture emanates from one of the richest, most diverse, and most interesting histories in North America. The museum gloriously celebrates this history. The Haida have always been a very intuitive culture. They understand that any living thing is part of a multitude of cycles, each dependent on something else. By exploring this museum and this rich culture, you will gain a better understanding of the importance of Haida Gwaii as a whole.
As you head north, you will soon discover Port Clements, located at the mouth of the Yakoun River. It is still about a 45-minute drive to the steelhead section of this river. Past Port Clements you will come across the long spread-out town of Tlell, another wonderfully artistic community, and one with a fascinating history.
Its breathtaking ocean views make this section of the drive quite inspiring. Last but not least is Masset, B.C., located at the corridor to North Beach and its endless miles of sandy coastline. Masset is also a popular destination for saltwater fishing.
All told Graham Island has a population of 5,000 and is a wonderful island to explore.
