Thursday, March 28, 2024
ADVT 
Travel

Huu-ay-aht First Nations Launches Tours To Ancient Village Site

Darpan News Desk, 30 May, 2018 12:14 PM
  • Huu-ay-aht First Nations Launches Tours To Ancient Village Site
Inhabited by Huu-ay-aht ancestors for more than 5,000 years, Kiix̣in is the only known remaining complete traditional First Nations village on the southern B.C. West Coast. Though the National Historic Site has lain empty for more than 300 years, the Huu-ay-aht First Nations has brought Kiix̣in back to life as an authentic tourism experience that brings visitors intimately close to the region's culture, history and nature.
 
During the Kiix̣in experience, guests hike the trail to the site, exploring Vancouver Island's pristine old-growth rainforest and beautiful protected beaches. Along the way, guides will share Huu-ay-aht's knowledge, history, and culture, weaving stories that transport guests back to Kiix̣in as it first stood. Once they have reached the site, visitors will see significant standing remains of the original fortress, where 15 to 20 original longhouses once stood. Guests will wander among the ruins; explore the surrounding forest and beaches; and gaze upon the fortress look-out, where 
the Huu-ay-aht once kept watch for invaders and grey whales.
 
Each tour to Kiix̣in lasts approximately three hours and is guided by Huu-ay-aht traditional knowledge holders. The tours were originally launched last summer as part of a pilot project. This year Huu-ay-aht plans to offer a full tour season from May 19 to September 30. Tours to the site are complimentary.
 
The Kiix̣in Village and Fortress National Historic Site of Canada is located on the west coast of Vancouver Island, strategically set between the exposed, rugged outer coast and the protected inner waters of Barkley Sound, British Columbia. The 19th-century village and fortress exhibit evidence of occupation dating back to 1000 B.C.E., and is still considered a sacred site to present-day Huu-ay-aht First Nations. Official recognition refers to four distinct archaeological sites, which include the main village and fortress sites and two other related archaeological sites.
 
Kiix̣in is the traditional capital village of the Huu-ay-aht, a Nuu-chah-nulth First Nation. It is the only known First Nations village of more than 100 villages on the southern British Columbia coast that still features significant, standing traditional architecture. Much is known about Kiix̣in thanks to a wealth of historic information collected from oral histories, archaeology, and archival records, which demonstrate continuous occupation of the area for almost 3,000 years. The area is characteristic of Nuu-chah-nulth defensive sites and warfare patterns, resource extraction and commercial practices, and illustrates the changing Nuu-chah-nulth political and economic patterns of the 18th and 19th centuries.
 
The Kiix̣in tours will depart daily from Bamfield, B.C., and are complimentary. To book, e-mail info@Kiixin.ca or call 250-735-3432. For more information, visit www.Kiixin.ca.
 

MORE Travel ARTICLES

Emirates offers special Economy and Business class sale from Western Canada

Emirates offers special Economy and Business class sale from Western Canada
For a limited time, travellers can fly from across the country to select destinations throughout the Emirates network, with fares starting at $1,259. 

Emirates offers special Economy and Business class sale from Western Canada

Keep the Kids Busy this Summer

Keep the Kids Busy this Summer
Waterloo Region boasts a full slate of family friendly fun

Keep the Kids Busy this Summer

Explore Beautiful British Columbia

Explore Beautiful British Columbia

  This summer, take time to revitalize your senses and get back to nature by hiking ...

Explore Beautiful British Columbia

Olympic Peninsula - Your Gateway to Adventure

Olympic Peninsula - Your Gateway to Adventure

Home to the Olympic National Park, endless hiking trails, sandy beaches, temperate rainforests, a...

Olympic Peninsula - Your Gateway to Adventure

Hit the Road with your family this summer

Hit the Road with your family this summer
  LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto invites families to head to Toronto this summer to see what it has to offer.

Hit the Road with your family this summer

‘Great Canadian Road Trip’ will include Canada’s outstanding gardens

‘Great Canadian Road Trip’ will include Canada’s outstanding gardens
From all economic and anecdotal indicators, the ‘Great Canadian Road Trip’ will be the vacation theme of summer of 2016. 

‘Great Canadian Road Trip’ will include Canada’s outstanding gardens