S ECT I O N 2 NO RT H W EST BR I T I SH COLUMBI A CANADA
Lava Beds - Nisga Hwy – Tim Swanky
Fishing near Kitimat, B.C. – Nikki Fink
NASS VALLEY
KITIMAT
The Nass Valley holds many undiscovered wonders of nature and history. Tour the 26 km (16 mi) long lava beds to the volcanic cone or experience some of the world’s best fishing on the Portland Canal near the Alaska border. Visit the stunning new Nisga’a Museum in Greenville (Lax_galts’ap) and the Nisga’a Memorial Lava Bed Park. The park features a campground, Visitor Centre longhouse with displays of Nisga’a art including carvings, button blankets and masks and a pictorial history of the Nisga’a and the Nass Valley. At Nass Camp there is an RV campground with 16 sites with full services (electrical, water and dumping station), a restaurant and a bar.
Kitimat, pop. 8,335, is a young city, planned and built in the 1950s by Alcan Aluminum to house employees for its smelter which has become one of the world’s largest. This industrial city offers easy access to some of B.C.’s most remote, pristine landscapes. Its Haisla name means “People of the Snow” — an apt descriptor, as annual snowfalls here are among Canada’s highest. WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN KITIMAT
World class fresh water fishing on the Kitimat River.
Salt water fishing for halibut, salmon, cod and snapper, trap for prawns, shrimp and crab in the Douglas Channel independently or with a guide.
Canoe or kayak the Douglas Channel. Don’t miss the Weewanie and Bishop Bay hot springs in Douglas Channel!
Visit the world’s largest intact coast temperate rainforest: the Kitlope Conservancy. About a two hour boat ride from Kitimat and accessible only with permission and a guide, this protected backcountry park has 800-year-old trees. It provides critical habitat for grizzly, black bear, marbled murrelets and bald eagles. More information is available at www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/kitlope.html
WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN THE NASS VALLEY
Visit the Nisga’a Museum (Hli Goothl Wilp Adokshl Nisga’a), featuring the Ancestors Collection (Anhooya’ahl Ga’angigatgum’) with over 300 Nisga’a cultural treasures. This collection ranks as one of the preeminent collections of Northwest Coast aboriginal art. Visit Gitlakdamix (New Aiyansh) to see the totem poles at the New Aiyansh Village Government Office. Shop at the General Store for gas, snacks and mementos, or visit one of the local artist’s workshops. Tour the Government Chambers and Lisims Government Building to learn more about these selfgoverned people. Drive into Gitwinksilkw (Canyon City) across a bridge featuring four welcoming totem poles. Also visit the swaying suspension bridge that was once the only land access to the village. Explore Gingolx (Kincolith) situated at the mouth of the Nass River, on the Portland Canal — it’s known as the Seafood Capital of the Nass Valley.
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Kitimat offers breath taking scenery, coastal mountains and abundant wildlife. Hike! The Visitor Centre offers maps of trails from easy to advanced. View the largest protected living Sitka Spruce tree in B.C., behind the Riverlodge Recreation Centre. This 500-year-old specimen would provide enough lumber to frame nine average homes. W W W. NORTHER NBCTOUR ISM.CO M