Visitor Guidelines
The Lands of the Kitasoo/Xai'Xais are Sensitive both Cultural and Ecologically
Visitors to the traditional lands of the Kitasoo/Xai'xais must respect and recoginize the ownership and historical significance of these areas.
For the hundreds of visitors that pass through the territory of this First Nation, many stop to explore the islands, coves and inlets as well hike bear trails and camp on sandy beaches. Many people guide themselves with thier own boat, looking for adventure. Spirit Bear Adventures offers guided tours to many sites that are unknown to outsiders, and being a local owned and operated eco-cultural tourism operation, we are able to guide guests to restricted sites as well. But those who travel on their own, visitors must be made aware that there are visitor guidelines that must be adhered to while traveling in the lands of the Kitasoo/Xai'xais.
Cultural Considerations
If you wish to visit First Nations sites be sure to seek permission from Spirit Bear Adventures and/or the
Kitasoo Band Council. Many sites require a First Nations guide to accompany groups. Do not consider permission from Kitasoo or Xai'xais individuals as adequate. Once you have gained permission, look, photograph (if allowed) and enjoy – but do not disturb.
What may appear lost or forgotten may be of great significance to the Kitasoo/Xai'xais. Part of the significance may be where the object lies. Artifacts, including whale and human bones are often tied to a specific location and are deliberately left in their natural surroundings rather than removed to a museum or private collection. Once they are removed from context without proper study, they can no longer speak to the past history of the place. If you suspect the artifacts or sites you have found are unknown, then please contact Spirit Bear Adventures. Note: It is strictly illegal to remove any object that has heritage value without the appropriate permit(s). Petroglyph (rock carvings) and Pictograph (rock paintings) sites are very sensitive. Please do not touch or step on these artifacts, as they are vulnerable to erosion.
Clam beds and other inter-tidal harvesting areas should be approached as areas of traditional food harvesting that may still be in contemporary use by the Kitasoo/Xai'xais. Be sure to minimize your impact on these areas. Take no more than you need, eat what you take and avoid harvesting in popular areas. Contact Spirit Bear Adventures for more information on harvesting sites.
Middens are basically refuse heaps: deposits built up over time from discarded material – usually kitchen garbage – associated with past human occupation. The term shell midden refers to the middens left by coastal aboriginal occupants, often dating back many hundreds to several thousands of years. These contain large amounts of shell fragments (left over from the consumption of clams) mixed in with rich, dark greasy soil often containing broken pieces of fire-charred rock. They can anything from a few centimetres to several metres in depth. The rates of accumulation varying greatly depending on the intensity and duration of resource use. Middens are very valuable to understanding First Nations history – but only if they are protected
and investigated in an appropriate manner.
Shell middens are typically found on any reasonably level area above a shoreline with good access to beaches, fresh water, and suitable canoe landing places. These are the same types of places travelers today find desirable to land, camp and picnic on. They are often evident from a distance by the presence of slightly greener, more deciduous vegetation, or even a lack of vegetation. In some cases, middens may be associated with burial or petroglyph sites. Shell middens in BC, like other types of archeological sites,
are protected by law under provisions of BC Heritage Conservation Act. A person must not damage, alter, dig or remove objects from them. This means zero impact camping or visitation – and only after the appropriate permission has been secured.
Please download a complete copy of our
Klemtu Visitor Guide.
More information on taking a guided tour with Spirit Bear Adventures.
