August 27, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Terrace, Historic & Heritage Sites
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My name is Herb. H. A. Vore, actually. I work as a Motivational Therapist and I am approaching retirement. I decided to write my Bucket List and one of my top dreams to achieve was traveling through Northern BC and beyond. With list in hand I approached my mother (and my boss, too). She said: "Let's do it!". I was thrilled. I asked her if my English nanny Susan could come too and she said: "Yes". So we packed up the Ford Focus station wagon with all my stuff and off we went. We took the BC Ferries from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo and headed up Island. I wanted to stop and check out the local grass along the way, but we booted up to Port Hardy and stayed overnight in the Youth Hostel. It was full of young folk (we 3 are over 60 yrs) but it was an inexpensive and great place for the night. The next morning at 5:30 a.m. we boarded the ferry to Prince Rupert. I achieved my first check-off on my list. Standing on the railing as the beautiful Inside Passage sparkled in the sun, I yelled out: "King of the World!". Mom and Susan enjoyed a wonderful buffet dinner on board and we arrived in Prince Rupert at 11 pm and had a lovely sleep at the Crest Hotel. Next morning, bright and early we headed for Terrace, then turned left, and drove up the Cassiar Highway. We side tripped to Hyder, Alaska to look for grizzly bears then up to Watson Lake. There were many motorcycles outside our hotel and all of the riders were our age! Too cool! From Watson we drove on to Whitehorse. We camped at Robert Service Campground and I checked off more items off my list: sleeping in my own tent, cooking smores over a campfire, log pole climbing and meeting new friends. We visited the local animal shelter where Susan walked dogs and Mom, as usual, schmoozed with the towns folk. On we went to Dawson City, Yukon. What a brilliant area, full of history and charm. Everywhere we went we saw flowers! We stayed at the wonderful Whitehouse Cabins, right on the river! I scurried into my suitcase and brought out appropriate clothing to match the wonderful ideas I had written on my Bucket List. I golfed at Top of the World Golf Course, I panned for gold in the mighty Yukon River, I fished and caught my first Arctic Char, I sampled the greenery at Dome Mountain and climbed the weather torn beams of an old paddle wheeler. I sat in silence at the RNWMP graveyard and I snuggled with Diamond Tooth Gertie and her cancan dancers. Then, one morning, Mom surprised me and said: "Let's go! We can do this!" and off we set in the Ford to challenge the Dempster Highway! We passed Tombstone Park and were the only vehicle on the hard packed gravel road. Miles in front of us and miles behind, we were alone. I helped drive. It was the most beautiful spot on Earth. We saw Cariboo, Elk, Arctic Fox and Ptarmigan. We had lunch at Eagle Plains (pop:8) and 40 minutes later arrived at the Arctic Circle. I tastily sampled the tundra and contemplated buying land and building a log home there. I checked my hugest goal off my list. I think I am the first Guinea Pig to arrive at the Arctic Circle! The scenery was awesome. I made friends there, too. I will never forget it. I am inspired. Next year, I am hoping to be off with Mom and Susan to Churchill, Manitoba to see the polar bears! Respectful and thankfully submitted by: Herb A Vore.
July 11, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Terrace, Historic & Heritage Sites
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Living in Terrace, the beautiful cultural art of the area can really be astounding. We recently took a tour in the Hazelton area where we stopped at the Kispiox totem field. The sheer amount of totems there was stunning enough, but once we took a closer look we really got to appreciate the history and artistry of these giant symbols.
We noticed that some of the poles had carvings on the tops and bottoms but the middles were blank. Our guide informed us that this was because the Carvers would make them with their apprentices. The head carver would design the bottom and his apprentice would be in charge of the top. This is also why the bottoms were most often more intricately done.
Even though the totem poles we saw were up to a couple hundred years old, their designs may have dated back to hundreds of years before. Whenever a totem pole's design becomes too worn down and indistinguishable it is redone on a new pole. Allowing the representations and stories to live on.
The totem fields really left a lingering sense of culture and truly connected with me on a personal level. Seeing the culture of a nation expressed for everyone to appreciate was a touching and enriching experience which we were lucky to have been a part of!
July 03, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Terrace, Historic & Heritage Sites
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The Hazelton Area Visitor Centre went on a FAM tour of the Nass Valley on Tuesday, June 28! We woke up early and headed to Terrace, BC, where we met the crew from their Visitor Centre along with Brian, our Split Mountain Adventures Tour Guide. We started our tour at the North West Community College and saw some beautiful art work from the students in the school. Some of the art work from the students is chosen to be displayed in Vancouver and other parts of BC. There are totem poles out in front to the college that represent learning. There is another totem pole out in the parking lot called Seven Nations Pole that was raised seven years ago. The totem pole represents all the different nations that go to the school. Usually totem poles would only represent one nation, one clan and tell a single story or legend, but this pole represents the seven nations that make up the school, as a sign of unity for the school. There are some carvings in the school that were made in 1987. The same person who did these carvings is also carving a pole for Riverboat days which is taking place during July 29 – August 7. The artwork made it a great place to start our tour!
July 01, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Terrace, Historic & Heritage Sites
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May 20, 2000 marks a significant date in the history of the Nisga’a People. On this day, the 113-year struggle to end Indian Act to the Nisga’a people finally went through, and the Nisga’a people were granted full government of their own people and land. This was a rejoicing day for the First Nation people in the Nass Valley as it gave them a sense of ownership and closure to this long, drawn-out battle. Many of the artefacts that had left the land during the 19th and 20th century, have now been returned to their rightful place and are housed in a brand new world-class museum. The Nisga’a Museum is located in the cultural village of Laxgalts’ap (Greenville), about 137km on Highway 113 North-West of Terrace, BC. In fact, the highway was named Highway 113 because the Nisga’a Treaty took 113 years sign.
Walking into the museum, we were greeted with friendly faces and immersed into an empowering wave of culture that radiated off the walls of the museum. Every artefact had its own date, story and memory, which outlined the Nisga’a culture and its rich heritage. The tour was full of interesting facts which Nicolette, our guide, delivered in an enthusiastic manner. The 35min tour opened our eyes to much of the Nisga’a culture which can now be shared with the local people, Canada, and the world through an abundance of displays in the beautiful museum. There is also a gift shop where t-shirts, mugs and artwork can be purchased to accompany the wonderful memories and images you will take back with you after a visit here at the Nisga’a Museum. This new structure in Laxgalts’ap adds an extra touch to an already astonishing and vibrant territory here in the Nass Valley.
June 21, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Terrace, Historic & Heritage Sites
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After recently becoming employed at Terrace BC's local Visitor Center for the summer, I had recently been hearing a lot of tourists telling us about the amazing things to be found up North towards the Nass Valley and Gingolx. I actually had not been up there since I was kid, almost 12 years ago so I decided to take my day off and be productive.
I left Terrace around 10am with a few friends and after a quick stop for some coffee at Cafenara (amazing local/organic coffee), we were on the road. It does not take very long before the drab highway opens up into gorgeous lakes, and waterfalls compliments by beautiful rolling creeks and rustic wooden bridges. The drive is stunning and even if you plan on driving straight through, you are in for a treat.
That being said, if you are willing to make a few stops, you will be rewarded with some AMAZING sights. Such things as Beaupre Falls, Tumbling Creek, Vedder Falls, and many others are all within the first 90KM.
And that is just the road there. Once you start arriving at some of the towns and villages along the way, you can stop at any of the gift stores featuring amazing first nation's art, or even check out some of the new government buildings which features some amazing architecture enhanced by the culture of the first nations.
Towards the end of the road, there is the new 15 million dollar museum in Greenville (as seen in the picture). This is a jaw-dropping gem that absolutely must be seen in person. Featuring re-claimed artifacts of the First Nations culture (now labeled treasures), it is packed with cultural art and a weird glow of a history and beauty.
July 25, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Terrace, Historic & Heritage Sites
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Nisga'a Memorial Lava Bed Provincial Park, or Anhluut'ukwsim Laxmihl Angwinga'asanskwhl Nisga'a Provincial Park, is fascinating from a historical, geological, and tragic point of view. This is the site of British Columbia's most recent volcano. About 250 years ago, the lava flow buried two villages and killed 2000 Nisga'a people.
My husband and I, our daughter, and two grandsons visited this site last summer and all of us found the visit interesting. The boys were surprised to see that they could look through a hollow tube in the lava where a tree had been covered and then burned out, leaving the lava that surrounded it. There is lichen on most of the lava.
We didn't take the tour to the volcano itself, but wandered among the trails which included lakes, rivers waterfalls and old growth forest. For a different destination, we recommend that you include this park. Easily accessible, and a visitor's centre, it is north of Terrace, BC, east of New Aiyansh. Tours can be arranged at the visitors centre in the park.
July 20, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Terrace, Historic & Heritage Sites
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If you're interested in historic buildings, the Usk Pioneer Chapel, just outside of Terrace B.C. on Highway 16, is one to stop at. I've lived in Terrace most of my life, but I never took the opportunity to visit the small church until just last week. It was a blast!
Even though it's such a small church, it is full of rich history. The church originally was in use at Usk during the early 1900's but was replicated and moved in the 1960's to be east of Terrace on Highway 16. The church contains four small pews and a table full of small bibles and a guest book, signed by hundreds of people from all over the world. There is also a picture on the wall explaining the story behind The Untouched Bible, a bible that survived the 1936 flood that destroyed the Usk village.
It's an unique, worthwhile stop for a brief glimpse into the history of the pioneers of the Terrace area.
July 07, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Terrace, Historic & Heritage Sites
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Last year I was very fortunate to participate in a tour of the Nisga'a Memorial Lava Bed Park volcano cone tour. This was a very interesting and worth while tour to take part in with very knowledgable guides who are familiar with the surrounding area of the Nass Valley.
You will hike through well maintained trails and see lots of beautiful sites. The guides will show you many things along the way that was beneficial to the history of the Nisga'a people and when you get to the cone viewpoint you will hear the story of the historical eruption that took place a couple hundred years ago!
June 20, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Terrace, Historic & Heritage Sites
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Last week, my father’s school had an amazing opportunity to travel to Gingolx, British Columbia and partake in the culture of the Gingolx people. This video was put together to show highlights of the trip. It is a bit lengthy, but I encourage you to watch the first 4 minutes of the video and see the pictures of the community, listen to the sounds of the singers and their drums, and hear a speech from a Gingolx elder. It is an extraordinary experience of art and culture.
June 09, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Terrace, Historic & Heritage Sites
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Today I was fortunate to experience a tour of one of Canada's national historic tours of the Kitselas Canyon! This is located about 10 minutes outside of Terrace; and here is where we were welcomed to the land of the "People of the Canyon".
We were able to observe the carving of a very special totem pole which tells a story of the history of the Kitselas people. When this pole is completed, it will be one of the most prestigious poles to be raised within the last hundred years!
After watching the carvers at work, we were able to view some of the traditional longhouses that are in the progress of being completed. Inside these houses we were able to learn alot of history of the people and we were also able to take a look at many artifacts.
The very last activity on the tour was the trolley ride through the old forest to the view point at the canyon! This was an awesome experience that you definately should look into when you come to the Terrace area because you will not be disappointed!