HAIDA GWAII (FORMERLY THE QUEEN CHARLOTTE ISLANDS) JULY 3 12, 2016 ABOARD THE ISLAND ROAMER HIGHLIGHTS

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2 HAIDA GWAII (FORMERLY THE QUEEN CHARLOTTE ISLANDS) JULY 3 12, 2016 ABOARD THE ISLAND ROAMER Our Adventure Canada guide will lead this incredible expedition to Haida Gwaii, focusing on Canada s Haida Nation, one of North America s most culturally rich and developed groups of indigenous people. Signs of the ancient and living culture remain throughout the islands longhouses 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 Canada s heritage. We ll travel creeks threading through old-growth forests and navigate the rugged headlands and waterways between the many communities of the islands. We ll take in views of incredible landscapes and search for the elusive wildlife puffins, 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 affectionate nickname Galapagos of the North. HIGHLIGHTS Explore the Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and the National Marine Conservation area Enjoy a traditional Haida meal hosted at the home of a tribe elder Visit Haida Gwaii Museum and the Qay llnagaay Heritage Centre Explore villages in old-growth forests and destinations inaccessible by land Tour SGang Gwaay Linagaay, UNESCO World Heritage Site Embrace quiet moorings and free time to sketch, photograph, and explore Seek out multitudes of seabirds and marine mammals in their coastal habitats 2

3 DETAILS Cost: $5,595 USD + HST or by credit card $5,818 USD + HST Max: 14 adventurers Fitness Level: Moderate YOUR GUIDE: HEATHER BEECROFT Heather has worked to promote Indigenous artists and their work during a lengthy teaching career and within the Inuit cooperative system. For the past fifteen 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. WHAT S INCLUDED All meals from lunch July 3 to breakfast July 12 Hotel night in Vancouver at Skwachàys Lodge One hotel night at Sandspit Inn All museum and park fees Passage aboard the Island Roamer WHAT S NOT INCLUDED Flights from home to Vancouver and Vancouver to Sandspit Mandatory emergency medical and evacuation insurance Personal items Any expenses incurred due to changes beyond our control All ground transportation Gratuities to the Island Roamer s crew ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 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 3

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5 Haida culture remains alive and vital. Guests will have the opportunity to learn about the customs and traditions of this great people a people whose bond to the natural world is enduring and reciprocal. This bond is reflected 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 came ancient 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 Canada s true cultural treasures. Bring your camera, journal, and sketchpad for Haida Gwaii is one of the world s most inspiring places. MARINE WILDLIFE Because the islands lie on the edge of the continental shelf, a particularly robust plankton base bolsters the food chain. This plankton forms a rich feeding area for all manner of wildlife particularly whales. Historically, blue, sperm, minke, fin, humpback, and orca whales have all called Haida Gwaii home. Though whaling in the early twentieth century devastated their populations, humpback and fin whales are now on the rebound and are regularly spotted by visitors. Harbour seals and Stellar sea lions congregate in large communities on shore and ply the waters for fish. LAND ANIMALS The Haida Gwaii 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 flourished on the island problematically. 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 culture are suffering from the over-browsing of the deer. 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 5

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7 it into chaos at the next. A greedy, mischievous lecher, Raven nevertheless 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 crests the figures of animals, birds, sea creatures, and mythic beings. These crests are used to identify the moiety and often the lineage of their owners. The precise arrangement and interaction of various crests and recurring motifs act as a personal signifier, and much can be gleaned from an individual s 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 figures, 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 that Raven made to Haida life (after stealing the idea from Beaver). These houses formed the centre of Haida social, political, and economic life. They were build out of western red cedar with a framework of corner posts and massive structural beams. Like their houses, the Haida s canoes were hewn from red cedar they were exquisite craft and widely praised by the chiefs of other nations 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. DETAILED ITINERARY This is our proposed route. It is highly probable that weather, sea, and ice conditions will not allow us to travel this exact route. Our Expedition Leader and the Island Roamer's captain will determine our exact route day by day. Day 1: Vancouver July 3 Group will meet at 9:00AM in the lobby of Skwachays Lodge to begin day program with your guide, Heather Beecrfot. In the evening we will gather at Skwachàys Lodge for a welcome dinner as well as an opportunity to meet an artist in residence. Day 2: Sandspit July 4 We fly to Sandspit today to begin the Haida Gwaii expedition. Upon arrival, we have a short walk to accommodation at the Sandspit Inn, where we will spend the night. Our guide will point out highlights of the area and you will have the evening to relax and get to know your fellow 7

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9 travellers. Sandspit is home to a wide array of activities, including beach combing, sports fishing, crabbing, bird watching, rock hounding, wilderness camping, boating, photography, sightseeing, hiking, sea kayaking, canoeing and golfing, but we suggest having a quiet dinner and resting up for the adventure ahead. Day 3: Graham Island July 5 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 checkout times. Please be sure to keep luggage on hand as you leave the 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-five minutes. and southern shores of Moresby Island. Daily activities include wildlife watching and shore excursions to a wide variety of sites including ancient 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 puffins, 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 unesco World Heritage Site. There, we will see the totem poles in their solemn watch along the shoreline. Our first 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 Roamer and her crew. After boarding, introductions will be made; a safety orientation and cabin assignments will take place shortly thereafter. Dinner will be served, and we will spend our first 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 July 6 11 We will spend these days exploring the eastern Each evening we will anchor in a different secluded bay, with time for relaxing and reflection 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 July 12 The voyage will finish mid-morning with disembarkation at Moresby Camp and a transfer 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 office and souvenir vendors within the airport. Lunches may be purchased from local restaurants or at the airport. 9

10 ABOUT THE ISLAND ROAMER The Island Roamer is a custom 68-foot ketch, launched in The boat s design, safety and comfort make her particularly well suited for providing wildlife and wilderness trips for up to sixteen guests. She features eight private cabins (double occupancy), 3 heads with hot showers, a large comfortable lounge with an extensive library, and a well equipped galley. On deck, the large covered seating area provides protection in all types of weather. The Island Roamer affords easy access to people of any age and most physical capabilities. She is large enough for comfort and privacy, and small enough to create a good rapport among the passengers and crew. The Island Roamer Particulars Designed by Stan Huntingford Built by Cooper Yachts in 1983 Canadian Ministry of Transport certified for 18 passengers Length 68 Beam Displacement 45,300 kg / 100,000 lbs Draft 2m / 6 6 Fuel 3,785 litres / 1,000 gallons Water 3,785 litres / 1,000 gallons 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 / 15 Polaris inflatable tender Sails: o o 1,682 square metres of sail area Cruising Spinnaker 181 sq. metres / 1,950 sq. ft. 10

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12 SKWACHÀYS LODGE VANCOUVER A unique Aboriginal art experience, this stunning boutique hotel in the heart of Vancouver is the result of a partnership between six of the city s best hotel designers and six Aboriginal artists. Together, they produced eighteen installation pieces one for each room. The hotel also features a traditional sweat lodge and smudge room, as well as all the comforts of high-scale lodging. Photography by Craig Minielly at Aura Photographics

13 IMPORTANT INFORMATION HOW TO REGISTER THE REGISTRATION FORM IS DOUBLE-SIDED AND YOUR SIGNATURE IS REQUIRED ON BOTH SIDES. To register for an Adventure Canada expedition each participant must complete the registration form and return along with a $1000 USD deposit. 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 inquire at 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 profile, 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. 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 final documents until these forms are completed and submitted.

14 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. Adventure Canada s cancellation terms apply to all passengers. Emergency Medical and Evacuation Insurance is required for participation in all Adventure Canada expeditions. ACTIVITY LEVEL Adventure Canada expeditions are intended for people in reasonably good health. Zodiac cruises and transfer times can be lengthy. On the Island Roamer you must be able to climb stairs between decks. You must also be able to climb the external ladder in order to transer to the Zodiac landing craft. Our guides and crew are available to assist you in and out of the Zodiacs. Adventure Canada expeditions may involve extensive walking in variable weather over sometimes hilly, uneven terrain. ZODIAC CRAFT Zodiacs are the favoured means of transportation for all our expeditions and, indeed, wherever shallow waters and beaches ring the shoreline. They are stable, versatile craft which cruise at an approximate speed of four knots, and in windy weather can make for rather splashy rides. We therefore recommend wearing wet weather gear for Zodiac transfers. Life preservers are absolutely compulsory. Zodiac landings will generally entail disembarking onto rocky or gravelly beaches. The beach landings may be wet, meaning that there may be some spray en route to shore, and that you may have to step into water up to 25 cm inches deep. Rubber boots are highly recommended. MEDICAL FACILITIES This expedition is intended for persons in good health. Passengers who are not fit for long trips for any reason, including disability, heart or other health conditions, are advised not to join the tour. Should any such condition become apparent, we reserve the right to decline embarkation. Our vessel is not equipped to handle serious medical conditions. Medical and Emergency Evacuation insurance is mandatory and may be purchased through Adventure Canada at the time of booking. All passengers must carry a minimum of $75,000 USD per person emergency medical and evacuation coverage. This may not cover the full cost of a medical emergency. Additional expenses are the full responsibility of the passenger. GRATUITIES Gratuities are included in your berth cost.

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