The Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis First Nation (KHFN) is transforming a remote public trail into an accessible eco-tourism trail.
In 2020, the Kwiḵwa̱sut’inux̱w Haxwa’mis First Nation (KHFN) purchased Echo Bay Marina and Lodge on Gilford Island, next to the traditional village site Ḵ̓wax̱wa̱lawadi, and a 15-minute boat ride from KHFN’s main village of Gwa’yas’dums. This acquisition is part of the Nation’s community planning and rebuilding process, which includes strategic tourism development.
The interpretive trail complements the purchase of the Echo Bay facility, and will connect the marina and lodge with popular Echo Bay Marine BC Park, and local attractions such as the Billy Proctor Museum, which has become a must stop tourist destination.
Echo Bay is a sought-after, year-round wilderness destination in the world-renowned Broughton Archipelago. This project helps meet the growing demand for Indigenous tourism experiences, and increase economic opportunities for the KHFN.
Island Coastal Economic Trust approved funding for this project in 2021 through the Capital and Innovation program.
We work in reciprocal relationships with coastal communities across the ancestral territories of the Kwak̓wala, Nuučaan̓uɫ, Éy7á7juuthem, Ligwilda'xw, Pəntl'áč, She shashishalhem, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, Hul’q’umi’num’, diitiidʔaatx̣, SENĆOŦEN, Lekwungen, and T’Sou-ke speaking peoples.