August 09, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
New Hazelton, Historic & Heritage Sites
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Located in the Village of Hazelton, the First Nations Historical Village - 'Ksan - is an amazing sight to see. The area is home to the Gitxsan and
Wet’suwet’en people and is full of magnificent history of the people and the region. One of these sites that help to maintain history is the Historical Village of 'Ksan.
In my most recent visit to the Hazeltons I made a stop here and was extremely pleased to see what was there. I had read a lot about the area and talked to many people, but visiting the site first hand was definitely an amazing experience. There is so much history there and the stories that we were told about the people, their culture, and the area was incredible!
They also have weekly dance and story-telling performances for people to
enjoy. I unfortunately was not able to catch one of these performances,
but I hope to be back out there again sometime soon to take the tour
again and to catch one of these performances. They have amazing history
there that I suggest everyone learn about no matter who you are or where
in the world you may live.
You don't have to be familiar with the cultures at all as they provide a full tour with detailed information at a very reasonable price. I will continue to recommend 'Ksan to many more people heading that direction as I have nothing but good things to say about my experience there. It was definitely worth the visit!
August 09, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
New Hazelton, Historic & Heritage Sites
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As part of an adventure along Highway 16, I made a stop in the Hazeltons. It was a very neat sight to see with so many different stories told in the designs of the totems. Each totem was completely different and created a different feeling from viewing it.
Many of the totems there were quite old and created a feeling of history to the area. Others were fairly recent looking as their didn't seem to be as aged by the environment. These totems were all so incredibly detailed and I can only imagine what kind of time and care the artists would have had to put into the creation of them. The skill and specifically patience required for carving these must have to be tremendous in order to get them completed.
First Nations history has so many amazing stories that teach of great overcoming of obstacles and learning morals in growing up in life. The elders of these communities have a significant role in passing down the stories from one generation to the next and I believe that each and every culture should not lose their heritage and continue to maintain the learning of their cultures and heritage. Great sites like the Kispiox Totem Field are just one of many ways that these communities must maintain their heritage. These totems were an incredible sight to see and I hope one day I will be fortunate enough to be able to see the process it takes to carve them by these skilled carvers.
August 09, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
New Hazelton, Historic & Heritage Sites
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Ksan Village is a First Nations historic village located in Hazelton, BC. The location features several longhouses that were used for traditional ceremonies and events within the First Nations community.
You may take a guided tour of the site by one of many First Nations employees and understand the way that ceremonies are run and the meanings behind many pieces of traditional regalia.
Also featured at the Ksan Village is a gift shop full of handcrafted jewelry and art from several local and Wet'suwet'en First Nations people. On the way out of the site, there is often a market set up where you can purchase many local products including delicious bannock!
I would suggest a trip to Ksan for any individuals traveling west on Highway 16 and if you are interested in learning about the traditional First Nations ceremonies and traditions.
July 11, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
New Hazelton, Historic & Heritage Sites
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If you're travelling in Northwest BC, the 'Ksan Historical Village & Museum is a stop that should not be missed! I recently visited the site and was really impressed by the tour that I received. The tour will cost $10 instead of the $5 fee for just wandering around, but it's WELL worth it!
My tour guide showed our small group into each of the 3 clan houses where an audio tour led us through each part of the detailed displays. My favourite was the Fireweed house, which featured the masks, clothing, and props used in ceremonies and celebrations - keep an eye out for the one-horned goat!
After our tour, I visited the site's museum and gift shop. Did you know that this was the very first First Nations museum in the country? Me neither!
I really enjoyed my first visit to the ‘Ksan Historical Village, and I’ll definitely be going back again soon!
July 11, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
New Hazelton, Historic & Heritage Sites
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I recently visited the New Hazelton area and ventured up to Kispiox. If you travel down Totem Drive in Kispiox, it will lead you straight to 10 totem poles erected near the place where the Kispiox and Skeena Rivers meet. Each pole is completely different from the next in height, diameter, and the carved figures. I found it interesting that some of the poles were only carved partway up, and others featured birds or other animals perched on top while others had bare tops. I’ll definitely have to do some research into the meaning of this…or better yet, stop by the Kispiox cultural centre where they provide guided tours of the poles – I’m sure they’d know exactly why this is!
Seeing these 10 poles side-by-side really helped me appreciate the amount of time and skill that goes in to creating each pole. I’m hoping to travel to Kitwanga and Gitanyow to see the totem poles in those villages as well!
July 10, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
New Hazelton, Historic & Heritage Sites
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On Wednesday, July 6th Hazelton Visitor Centre along with Smithers and Terrace Visitor Centre’s went on a tour of the Hazelton’s. We met at Hazelton Visitor Centre at 10 and then headed out to see the sights of the Hazelton area. We started out by driving along the Kispiox Valley Road out to Kispiox Village where we saw some beautiful Totem Poles. There are fifteen Totem Poles along the river where the Kispiox and Skeena River combine into just the Skeena.
After taking a billion pictures and looking at the Totem Poles we continued on to the next stop which wasn’t very far. We stopped at the Cultural Centre which is right in Kispiox Village and though we were rushed we went inside and saw all the beautiful native artwork that was on display. We then continued back to Hazelton where we stopped at K’san Historical Village & Museum.
Now, I have lived in Hazelton for 18 years and I have never been on an actual tour of K’san. I have been down there plenty of times, but have never gotten a tour and I must say I have been missing out! We aren’t even inside the buildings yet and you can feel the power of the ancient civilization in the air. The feeling K’san gives you make you feel like you are actually in a village and you want to learn more. So, the tour starts and as soon as you walk in the smells, the look everything makes you feel like you are in a real longhouse years and years ago. The audio voice tells you about how the First Nations lived in the old days and how things worked. They also tell you about how the First Nations live today. It is neat because you go along the time line and learn about the culture. It is hard to explain, all I have to say is go to K’san, spend 45 minutes of your day to get totally immersed and learn about the Native culture.
August 10, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
New Hazelton, Historic & Heritage Sites
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Jean Jacques Caux, also known as Cataline, is one of BC’s most famous packers and lays to rest in Hazelton! Cataline is buried in an unmarked grave in the Hazelton Pioneer Cemetery.
When Cataline passed away in 1922, he expressed that he wished to be buried in a grave marked only by a rock and a horseshoe overlooking the confluence of the Skeena and Bulkley Rivers. For years, I have curiously wondered about Cataline’s unmarked grave and its location in the Hazelton Pioneer Cemetery.
One afternoon, a co-worker and I decided that we were going to solve the unmarked grave mystery. We prowled the graveyard for some sort of hint, we hoped in the form of a horseshoe, as to Cataline’s final whereabouts. After about a half hour of searching, we had nearly given up when we finally noticed a pile of rocks with the hints of a faint outline of a horseshoe located in a prime confluence viewing location. We had found the spot of Cataline’s final resting place as the grave we found matched the photo in the Cataline brochure we have at Hazelton Area Visitor Centre!
One of my favorite stories about Cataline tells the tale of Cataline’s cure for baldness. Cataline loved cognac and after each drink he would rub a bit on his head. The statue we have of Cataline outside our Visitor Centre depicts him with a huge amount of hair – perhaps his cognac worked!
August 10, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
New Hazelton, Historic & Heritage Sites
One sunny afternoon a couple of friends and I felt that it was a perfect day for a drive. We set out with the Moricetown Canyon as our destination. The Moricetown Canyon is located 35 kilometers from New Hazelton on Highway 16.
Once we arrived at the canyon, not only did we see the Bulkley River tumble through a fifteen meter wide canyon and falls, but we also had the opportunity to watch local Wet’suwet’en First Nations men fish with dip nets. It was fascinating to watch them pull massive salmon out of the turbulent water with apparent ease and grace.
We were also mesmerized by the many salmon relentlessly attempting to jump the falls as they journeyed up the Bulkley River. As you are travelling along Highway 16, be sure to stop by Moricetown Canyon!
July 27, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
New Hazelton, Historic & Heritage Sites
Kispiox Village, located about 18km north
of New Hazelton, is home to 15 totem poles ranging in age up to 160 years old.
The rushing water of the Skeena River provides an eerie song as one wanders
through the totem poles and curiously imagines the stories the crests on the
poles tell.
One cannot help but feel the history of the people who lived here
and treaded the same ground amongst the poles to admire the work of a carver
and the story of their history. In present day, one can lay one’s hands upon
the poles and touch the skilfully, thoughtfully, and passionately carved crests
that range up to 160 years of age.
It is an incredible feeling to be able to
tangibly touch a huge part of Canadian west coast heritage. Each pole in
Kispiox is diverse and a must see while you are visiting the Hazeltons!
July 16, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
New Hazelton, Historic & Heritage Sites
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Stories of Hazelton’s history flow as plentiful as the water that runs through the rivers that surround the Hazeltons. One story, which I find particularly fascinating, is the story of the arrival of the first car to Hazelton. In mid- 1911 the rumours of motorized vehicles being used, elsewhere in North America, ignited an excitement and curiosity throughout Hazelton! Soon after, the folks of Hazelton decided that they too would like to see a car drive the dusty streets of Hazelton. Anticipation grew around the idea and finally a hefty $1000 dollar reward was offered to the first person who could bring a car to Hazelton on its own power. “A fairly large number of enthusiasts entered the race but most of them withdrew after coming to know that there was no roadway.” In the end Mr. P.E Sands, the president of Seattle’s Studebaker automobile agencies, decided that he would brave the difficult terrain and desolate wilderness of British Columbia. Sands had a Flanders 20 with a three speed transmission. On August 28, he left Seattle and took a route over the Snoqualmie Pass to Ellensburg, Washington, then to Kamloops through the Nicola Valley and on to Ashcroft. Next he travelled via the Cariboo Wagon Road to Quesnel and then headed northwest following the Yukon Telegraph Line. He was on a challenging mission. There were no proper roads to speak of; rugged terrain, forests, steep mountains and swamps added to his obstacles. He drove through rain, made bridges on creeks, cut down trees, made roads, and sometimes had to haul the car by ropes. When they reached Quesnel, ‘men and women flocked about to view the novel vehicle – the first motor car many of them had ever seen.” At Aldermere near Smithers, they were given a warm reception, good food and entertained by dance. Most unforgettable was the party arranged for Sands when he finally reached Hazelton. He was given the reward the next day and started back to Seattle with his car on a sternwheeler to Prince Rupert.”
Now Sands had a secret, he had deceived the Hazelton folks and a man named Bob Montgomery knew it! “Apparently, Sands didn’t make it to Hazelton entirely on his own. He hired a pack team, dismantled the car and carted it for quite a distance. This was discovered by Montgomery”, an ex-convict and one time bank robber, “as he met the contestants on their way to Hazelton.” Sands paid Montgomery half of his winnings in order to keep his mouth shut; therefore, as Sands “waved goodbye to Hazelton” he was “in fact not as happy as he may have appeared.” Somewhere along the line the secret seeped out and is now a legend that locals love to talk about, laugh about, and even re-enact the story of the first car to Hazelton in theatrical performances!
This summer, I had the pleasure of meeting the daughter and granddaughter of one of the men hired to pack the car by donkey. The pair came into the Information Centre with their father’s story and pictures to prove it. I was delighted to have the opportunity to see a photo album filled with hundred-year-old photos in it, one of which was a picture of a donkey bearing the weight of a recognizable, disassembled car. True evidence of Sands deception!
Stop by at the Visitor’s Centre in New Hazelton, located at the junction of Highway 16 and 62 to learn more about the car and other legends, and pictures of the pioneer days in Hazelton!