Kitwanga Welcomes You

Transcription

1 Guide To Kitwanga

2 Kitwanga Welcomes You Overview Situated between the Kitwanga and Skeena Rivers in beautiful northern British Columbia, the community of Kitwanga is surrounded by rolling hills and forests that are home to a variety of wildlife such as bears, moose, deer, and small game. The rivers that run through the community boast an abundance of salmon and trout species and are enclosed by steep mountains to the northeast and southwest. With world class fishing, hiking, advancing educational and healthcare facilities, and a National Historic Site, Kitwanga offers the perfect balance between work and adventure. Kitwanga, sometimes referred to as Kitwanga Valley, is 5 km from the junction of Highway 16 (Yellowhead Trans-Canada) and Highway 37 (Stewart-Cassiar). It is a service centre for the nearby communities of Gitwangak, Cedarvale and Gitanyow.

3 History Kitwanga or Gitwangak ( people of the place of rabbits in the Gitxsan language) had long been a trade center for the northwest First Nations cultures and for the settlers that pioneered the Kitwanga valley. Today, the culture and history of Gitwangak are on display at Gitwangak Battle Hill National Historic Site (situated in the Kitwanga Valley). The surrounding area is rich in First Nations history and is home to over 50 totem poles. CN Rail and Logging History: In the early 1900s the building of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway was started. The northern rail line was promoted to open up the country to new homesteading opportunities and provide a link to the coast. Prior to the railway and after canoe travel, the main means of transportation on the Skeena River was by sternwheeler. The first pioneers to the area cut cordwood to stoke the engines of the steamboats as they refueled at Kitwanga before plying the waters on their way upriver to Hazelton. When the rail line was completed in 1914, many rail workers from nearby Doreen, Pacific, Ritchie, and Cedarvale moved to Kitwanga to settle. In 1923 the government took over the GTP and created the Canadian National Railway. OUR HISTORY In the 1950 s the first high production sawmills began as families moved to Kitwanga to capitalize on the booming logging industry. The local mill, now Kitwanga Forest Products, has had many owners over the past 60 years and continues to provide a livelihood in both logging and milling jobs for many residents. With the rapidly growing forest industry a Forest Ranger Station was constructed in (The old station now serves as the B.C. Ambulance Station.)

4 GETTING HERE Travelling to Kitwanga and area Air: Connections to domestic and international airports are made easy with two airports offering domestic flights about a one hour drive from Kitwanga, in Terrace and Smithers. Northwest Regional Airport (Terrace) Airlines: Air Canada, West Jet, Central Mountain Air, Hawkair and Northern Thunderbird Air Flights: Daily non-stop flights to Vancouver, Calgary, Kelowna, Prince George, Dease Lake. Smithers Regional Airport Airlines: Air Canada, Central Mountain Air, and Northern Thunderbird Air Flights: Regular flights to Vancouver, Kelowna, Prince George, and Dease Lake. Rail: Take Via Rail west to Prince Rupert or east to Jasper from Kitwanga s flag stop. The Kitwanga stop is on the Canadian National Railway mainline. Highway: Highway 16 and 37 meet in Kitwanga. Highway 37 is one of only two routes from B.C. to the Yukon Territory and the State of Alaska. The total distance from the junction of Highway 16 to the Yukon border is 725 kilometers (450 miles). Bus: The Greyhound Bus Line has a flag stop in Kitwanga at the Petro-Canada gas station for travelers headed east or west on Highway 16. Proximity to other Communities Metro Area Distance Prince George 1,486 km 6 hours Whitehorse 1,135 km 13 hours Kelowna 1,195 km 13 hours Edmonton 1,225 km 14 hours Vancouver 1,268 km 15 hours Calgary 1,268 km 14 hours Victoria 1,357 km 16 hours Seattle 1,379 km 17 hours

5 Population for Kitwanga and surrounding area Male: 480 (55%) Female: 400 (45%) Top Employers Kitwanga Forest Products 35 employees Kitwanga Elementary 20 employees Meek Logging Ltd. 11 employees Kitwanga General Store 10 employees Housing Affordability The cost of buying a home in Kitwanga and surrounding area is well below the provincial average. - Small to medium sized home $125,000 - $150,000 - Large home on acreage $200,000 - $275,000 Community Infrastructure Community Hall, Post Office, General Store, Restaurants, Rec Center, Ballfield, RV Park, Trail System, Guest House COMMUNITY

6 SERVICES AND AMENITIES Education: Kitwanga Elementary School: The school strives to improve engagement and achievement levels for students from K-7. Gitwangak Education Society: The society s work includes the management of the Wa umxhl Simalgyex, a Gitksan immersion daycare and delivers various adult education programs. Hazelton Secondary School: Within a one hour bus ride from Kitwanga, students in Grades 8 through 12 are provided with the tools and resources to learn about a variety of subjects, making a smooth transition into post-secondary education. Northwest Community College: Only 30 minutes away at the satellite Hazelton Campus or 1 hour to the Terrace campus, NWCC offers college access programs, health and human services programs, online programs, university credit programs, and trades foundation and apprenticeship programs. University of Northern British Columbia: Located in Terrace, UNBC offers an array of courses including undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as university transfer course offerings in partnership with NWCC. Healthcare: Religious Centers and Churches Kitwanga Valley Chapel St. Paul s Anglican Church Wrinch Memorial Hospital: Operating under United Church Health Services and affiliated with Northern Health, the hospital has a diversity of services under its roof, including: Doctors clinic, 24-7 Emergency Room, Pharmacy, Lab, Ultrasound and X-ray services, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Complex Care, and visiting Specialists. There are specialized health care professionals at the nearby Mills Memorial Hospital in Terrace. The B.C. Ambulance Service has an ambulance and crew in Kitwanga.

7 Top 5 things to do in Kitwanga Experience every season with endless outdoor recreation opportunities in Kitwanga Kitwanga, where there is never an off season 1. Fishing in the nearby Kitwanga and Skeena Rivers can be quite rewarding from the summer to winter months, with different types of salmon runs as well as a chance to catch an elusive steelhead. Enjoy year round lake fishing in Kitwancool and Seeley Lake stocked with a variety of trout. 2. Grab your hiking boots, mountain bike, cross country skis, snowshoes, and hit the surrounding trails anytime of the year. 3. In the winter months, snowmobiling in the area becomes quite popular, with amazing trails and spectacular views from highest peaks of the Seven Sisters Provincial Park. It is no wonder why Kitwanga is an adventure chasers paradise. 4. Join the locals and pick mushrooms and berries in the summer months. Kitwanga s forests are home to some of the world s best mushrooms including pine, morels, and chanterelles. 5. Add to the outdoors experience by staying the night at a nearby campsite. With more than a half dozen campgrounds around Kitwanga area, experiencing the true outdoors has never been easier. TOP 5 Top Events 1. Annual Quilting Weekend (Sept.) 2. Art in the Park (Aug.) 3. July 1st Celebrations and Fireworks Display 4. Community Potlucks 5. Battle of the Humpies Fish Run (September) 6. Public Market (Nov.) 7. Annual Silent Auction

8 COMMUNITY CONTACTS 1. Kitwanga Community Association P.O. Box 98, Kitwanga, B.C. V0J 2A0 2. Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine Lazelle Avenue, Terrace, BC V8G 4E Northern Health 3412 Kalum St, Terrace, BC V8G 4T2 (250) School District # Kenney Street, Terrace BC V8G 3E9 Tel: Quotes: Prince Rupert Bob Quinn Lake Stewart Nass Camp New Aiyansh Gitwinksihlkw Greenville Why do you like living in Kitwanga? Very engaged community where everyone has each other s back! I moved here on a one year contract 35 years ago and never left Endless opportunities to volunteer at one of our community events The beauty of the mountains, streams, rivers all around Gotta love it! There is always beautiful scenery to look at. The people = AWESOME Good for dirt biking on trails child from Kitwanga Rosswood Kitimat Dease Lake Meziadin Junction KITWANGA Cranberry Junction Terrace Hazelton Houston BRITISH COLUMBIA Smithers Prince George Vancouver Produced by the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine in collaboration with the Kitwanga Community Association. 2015