Photo: Bluewater Adventures, Leanne Carey
B.C.'s Queen Charlotte Islands have officially been renamed Haida Gwaii as part of a historic reconciliation agreement between the province and the Haida Nation, Premier Gordon Campbell announced Friday in Vancouver. The modern native name for the group of more than 150 rugged islands off the province's north coast will will appear on revised provincial maps and all other official provincial documents and presentations, the premier said. The archipelago was first named after one of the ships of British Captain George Dixon in 1778, who called his vessel Queen Charlotte after the wife of King George III. Haida Gwaii was created as an alternative name for the islands to acknowledge the history of the Haida Nation as part of its land claim efforts in the 1980s. According to the Haida Gwaii Tourism Association, the name translates as "islands of the people" in the Haida language.
The B.C. government later adopted the confusing name Queen Charlotte Islands/Haida Gwaii. For the full CBC report click here © CBC News
Bluewater Adventures is offering many tours of Haida Gwaii in 2010. From May until August each year, the Island Roamer calls Haida Gwaii home. Join us July 4-11, 2010 for an Ancient Insights Adventure.... exploring the history of the islands, plant usage, culture and much more. Check out our special trips page!
