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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

info@adventurecanada.com

Web: www.AdventureCanada.com