West Coast Masterpiece | 396 Ocean Spring Terrace, Becher Bay, BC, Canada
Beyond the extraordinary. James Bond would be at home in this setting. A smart home completed in 2017 - created and executed by a master engineer, envisioned by an artist - an inspirational masterpiece.
Imbedded in the rocky hillside this concrete and steel collaboration is a spectacular testament to the dramatic backdrop of the Olympic Mountains and Straits of Juan de Fuca. Walls of glass retract to enable the natural flow from indoors to out where an infinity pool effortlessly appears to flow over the hillside and a massive koi pond forms a moat round the natural rock landscape.
Mesmerizing views demand attention while every surface of this home is a thoughtful custom detail using the finest materials. The inclusion of a 37' totem tree soars 3 stories encircled by a custom steel stairwell. The residence includes a two bedroom self-contained suite on the main level and more than 4,000 sq ft of garage to house the finest car collection.
A southerly exposure affords all day sunshine sheltered from the prevailing winds.
A remarkable feat in exceptional construction.
Becher Bay is located on the border of Metchosin in the unincorporated community of East Sooke, British Columbia, Canada where there are over 500 houses. East Sooke borders on East Sooke Regional Park, an area of 14.339 square kilometres (3,543.3 acres), with views south to Olympic National Park in the United States. East Sooke does not have a town council. Instead it is governed by a Regional Director who is also responsible for other unincorporated areas in the Capital Regional District (the regional district Victoria, British Columbia). The B.C. Speculation Tax for unoccupied second homes does not apply to this area.
East Sooke's general character is rural, although it is a bedroom community of Victoria. Its close proximity to Victoria and character as a bedroom community with large tracts of undeveloped land have made it an attractive location for recreation and retirement developments. The micro climate at Becher Bay is conducive to Arbutus and Garry Oak trees. There are 2 marinas at Becher Bay and it is a popular launchpad to some of the West Coasts best fishing grounds.
‘It doesn’t get better than living on the Saanich Peninsula’
Newcomers to the Saanich Peninsula might not realize all there is to do in this picturesque part of the Capital Region, but Holmes Realty’s Michelle Holmes and Debra Bartlett, hosts of this episode of Black Press Media’s Real Estate TV, are happy to share some of their favourites!
For cyclists, there’s all kinds of biking opportunities, including 29 kilometres on the Lochside Trail, while hikers enjoy trails at Horth Hill, Dean Park and all along the waterfront.
Not only can you paddle or sail from virtually every part of the Peninsula, but you can fish for crabs right from the Sidney pier – dinner doesn’t get any fresher! Add award-winning wineries, restaurants and coffee houses for a little refreshment, plus amazing shopping in Sidney and throughout Central Saanich, and this is a community you’ll love coming home to!
“It’s really quite a wonderful thing,” Michelle says. “It doesn’t get much better than living on the Saanich Peninsula.”
Questions about real estate? They’ll be happy to answer those too!
To learn more, visit holmesrealty.com or call them today at 250-656-0911.
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529 Swanwick Road, Metchosin, BC - Sotheby's International Realty Canada
MLS ID: 400322
Listing Agents: Logan Wilson
Link:
An iconic canadian architectural monument perched upon a sprawling 67-acre oceanfront parcel at the southern end of Vancouver Island, minutes from British Columbia’s capital, Victoria. Punctuated by grand contemporary lines, the triumphant main residence is, according to it’s award-winning designer, Marko Simcic, “sustainably entwined” with its site in the heart of one of Canada’s most endangered natural ecosystems—the Garry Oak savannah. Winner of the Canadian Architect Award in 2003 and a Lieutenant-Governor’s Award in 2008,the 10,700 square foot main residence is cantilevered atop a concrete armature, rooting the structure clear of the critical tree root zones. With floors branching astride a canyon carrying spent hydro-thermal seawater framed by etched glass exterior walls, this innovative retreat blurs the boundaries of nature and shelter. A sharp structural fold encloses an exterior pool and hot tub area which separates the social and private living spaces. Dynamically lit by strategically placed exterior and foot windows, reflections from the ocean and canyon river dance across hardwood floors and travertine walls. Panoramic views of 1,400 linear feet of shoreline and private beach are amplified by spectacular ocean views backed by the rugged Olympic Mountain range, while a fully automated boat launch and worldwide access to mechanical and electrical controls allow residents to remain connected while escaping to the sea with ease. Also Included on the gated property is a caretakers residence, garage with hydraulic lift, and tennis/basketball court.Metchosin is a semi-rural community of rolling countryside laced with winding rural roads traversing cultivated acreages, rocky highlands, and forests along the shores of the Juan de Fuca Strait. This area is home to many migratory birds and teems with land and sea life. Nearby parks include Albert Head Lagoon, Witty’s Lagoon, Devonian Regional park, Matheson Lake Regional Park, Roche Cove Regional Park, and East Sooke Park. By imposing a minimum one and two acre lot size bylaw, urban style development has been limited by the local government in order to preserve the area’s pastoral character. Nearby activities include golf at the Metchosin Golf Course, the Olympic View Golf Club, or one of 8 championship golf courses scattered about Victoria’s Capital Regional District, as well as equestrian facilities at one of a number of Metchosin clubs, or rides along the famous Galloping Goose Trail. This 100 kilometer multi-use trail links the Westshore communities of Sooke, Metchosin, Colwood, Langford, and View Royal to Victoria proper, offering cyclists, joggers, hikers, and riders a route through the the countryside to the city.
SOOKEPOINT at Silver Spray: Oceanfront Cottages, Vancouver Island, B.C.
SookePoint Ocean Cottages are like Luxury Yachts on the extreme SW Tip of Canada, within Greater Victoria on Vancouver Island. This exceptional peninsula has 2,850 feet of surf and sunset oceanfront, and huge wrap-around views to the east, south and west.
The solid rock foreshore rises 65 feet above the sea, offering natural tsunami protection and 'incomparable oceanfront setting and views'. The lush shoreline of the adjacent Wilderness Park extends as far as the eye can see, preserving 10 km of south facing virgin oceanfront, pristine pocket beaches, abundant tidal pools, a large pelagic cormorant roost, ancient native petroglyphs and 50 km of nature trails winding through a temperate rainforest that is three and a half times larger than Vancouver's Stanley Park.
At over 3,500-acres, this the largest waterfront park in the Victoria Capital Regional District. Tourism BC advertises the 6 hour one-way hike along its scenic 'Coast Trail' as 'one of the premier day hikes in Canada'.
The waters surrounding SookePoint (aka Possession Point) offer world-class salmon fishing, whale watching, boating, kayaking and sailing. The Cousteau Society has rated the crystal clear water 'excellent' for diving. You can see how clear the water is by viewing the video of orcas swimming right below the Show Cottage at SookePoint.com.
A true sanctuary, on a cloverleaf peninsula at the end of a country road, it's under an hour to all Victoria's old world charm, the international airport and ferry terminals, and half that to shopping centres, championship golf courses, hospitals, restaurants and theatres.
For more information contact Michael@SilverSpray.com 604.230.3199
SilverSpray.com & SookePoint.com
Why I Love Gibsons
Perched above the Strait of Georgia, Gibsons is a quaint seaside town full of artists and entrepreneurs. Come visit the new Public Market, a socially-minded brewery, and a grocer dedicated to local food supplies.
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Swanwick Ranch V1
MLS : 383711
For more info please visit:
Or call: 250-857-0609
Like this video and subscribe to see more of Vancouver Island's most unique properties. Let us know what you think and what you'd like to see more of in the comments!
An iconic canadian architectural monument perched upon a sprawling 67-acre oceanfront parcel at the southern end of Vancouver Island, minutes from British Columbia’s capital, Victoria. Punctuated by grand contemporary lines, the triumphant main residence is, according to it’s award-winning designer, Marko Simcic, “sustainably entwined” with its site in the heart of one of Canada’s most endangered natural ecosystems—the Garry Oak savannah.
Winner of the Canadian Architect Award in 2003 and a Lieutenant-Governor’s Award in 2008,
the 10,700 square foot main residence is cantilevered atop a concrete armature, rooting the structure clear of the critical tree root zones. With floors branching astride a canyon carrying spent hydro-thermal seawater framed by etched glass exterior walls, this innovative retreat blurs the boundaries of nature and shelter.
A sharp structural fold encloses an exterior pool and hot tub area which separates the social and private living spaces. Dynamically lit by strategically placed exterior and foot windows, reflections from the ocean and canyon river dance across hardwood floors and travertine walls. Panoramic views of 1,400 linear feet of shoreline and private beach are amplified by spectacular ocean views backed by the rugged Olympic Mountain range, while a fully automated boat launch and worldwide access to mechanical and electrical controls allow residents to remain connected while escaping to the sea with ease. Also Included on the gated property is a caretakers residence, garage with hydraulic lift, and tennis/basketball court.
Metchosin is a semi-rural community of rolling countryside laced with winding rural roads traversing cultivated acreages, rocky highlands, and forests along the shores of the Juan de Fuca Strait. This area is home to many migratory birds and teems with land and sea life. Nearby parks include Albert Head Lagoon, Witty’s Lagoon, Devonian Regional park, Matheson Lake Regional Park, Roche Cove Regional Park, and East Sooke Park. By imposing a minimum one and two acre lot size bylaw, urban style development has been limited by the local government in order to preserve the area’s pastoral character.
Nearby activities include golf at the Metchosin Golf Course, the Olympic View Golf Club, or one of 8 championship golf courses scattered about Victoria’s Capital Regional District, as well as equestrian facilities at one of a number of Metchosin clubs, or rides along the famous Galloping Goose Trail. This 100 kilometer multi-use trail links the Westshore communities of Sooke, Metchosin, Colwood, Langford, and View Royal to Victoria proper, offering cyclists, joggers, hikers, and riders a route through the the countryside to the city.
Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, the Strait of Georgia and the Inside Passage, Vancouver Island is one of Canada’s finest island getaways. With its vast wilderness, picturesque peaks, temperate climate and fertile soil, this stunning locale is a paradise for those seeking serenity, natural beauty, and enchanting coastal communities.
Unlike much of Canada, Vancouver Island's weather is mild year-round. Spring comes early, with cherry blossom, tulip, and daffodil blooms lit by sparkling ocean sunsets. Summer is close behind, with the first sightings of migrating whales and local fishermen. In fall, a plethora of farms, vineyards, orchards, cideries, and breweries take local culinary culture to world-class levels. Come winter, cars loaded with kayaks, surfboards, paddle boards, skis, and snowboards come out to play, while golfers teeing off, and joggers taking to the trails remain common sights.
FOR SALE | SWANWICK RANCH | AWARD-WINNING MODERN ESTATE | METCHOSIN | VICTORIA BC
MLS : 400322
For more info please visit:
Or call: 250-857-0609
Like this video and subscribe to see more of Vancouver Island's most unique properties. Let us know what you think and what you'd like to see more of in the comments!
An iconic Canadian architectural monument perched upon a sprawling 67-acre oceanfront parcel at the southern end of Vancouver Island, minutes from British Columbia’s capital, Victoria. Punctuated by grand contemporary lines, the triumphant main residence is, according to it’s award-winning designer, Marko Simcic, “sustainably entwined” with its site in the heart of one of Canada’s most endangered natural ecosystems—the Garry Oak savannah.
Winner of the Canadian Architect Award in 2003 and a Lieutenant-Governor’s Award in 2008, the 10,700 square foot main residence is cantilevered atop a concrete armature, rooting the structure clear of the critical tree root zones. With floors branching astride a canyon carrying spent hydrothermal seawater framed by etched glass exterior walls, this innovative retreat blurs the boundaries of nature and shelter.
A sharp structural fold encloses an exterior pool and hot tub area which separates the master and guest quarters. Dynamically lit by strategically placed exterior and foot windows, reflections from the ocean and canyon river dance across hardwood floors and travertine walls.
Panoramic views of 1,400 linear feet of shoreline and private beach are amplified by spectacular ocean views backed by the rugged Olympic Mountain range. A boat house integrated into the structure, with mechanical launch directly to the sea makes setting sail a breeze, while worldwide access to home automation controls allows residents to remain connected from afar. Also included on the gated property is a caretakers residence, a garage with hydraulic lift, and a tennis/basketball court.
Metchosin is a semi-rural community of rolling countryside laced with winding rural roads traversing cultivated acreages, rocky highlands, and forests along the shores of the Juan de Fuca Strait. This area is home to many migratory birds and teems with land and sea life. Nearby parks include Albert Head Lagoon, Witty’s Lagoon, Devonian Regional park, Matheson Lake Regional Park, Roche Cove Regional Park, and East Sooke Park. By imposing a minimum one and two acre lot size bylaw, urban style development has been limited by the local government in order to preserve the area’s pastoral character.
Nearby activities include golf at the Metchosin Golf Course, the Olympic View Golf Club, or one of 8 championship golf courses scattered about Victoria’s Capital Regional District, as well as equestrian facilities at one of a number of Metchosin clubs, or rides along the famous Galloping Goose Trail. This 100 kilometer multi-use trail links the Westshore communities of Sooke, Metchosin, Colwood, Langford, and View Royal to Victoria proper, offering cyclists, joggers, hikers, and riders a route through the the countryside to the city.
Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, the Strait of Georgia and the Inside Passage, Vancouver Island is one of Canada’s finest island getaways. With its vast wilderness, picturesque peaks, temperate climate and fertile soil, this stunning locale is a paradise for those seeking serenity, natural beauty, and enchanting coastal communities.
Unlike much of Canada, Vancouver Island's weather is mild year-round. Spring comes early, with cherry blossom, tulip, and daffodil blooms lit by sparkling ocean sunsets. Summer is close behind, with the first sightings of migrating whales and local fishermen. In fall, a plethora of farms, vineyards, orchards, cideries, and breweries take local culinary culture to world-class levels. Come winter, cars loaded with kayaks, surfboards, paddle boards, skis, and snowboards come out to play, while golfers teeing off, and joggers taking to the trails remain common sights.
/A News Viewers Offer To Help
PORT RENFREW - After /A News aired a story about the Capital Regional District refusing to pay volunteers in Port Renfrew, two Island business owners called to help.
The volunteer fire chief in Port Renfrew says he offered to pay five volunteers, $10 an hour to monitor radios.
It was part of a makeshift 911 communication system put in place Fire Chief Dan Tennant, after a storm damaged one of the radio towers that transmits phone service.
With no cellular coverage in the area, Tennant says someone had to come up with a plan to restore 911 service.
The Juan de Fuca Emergency Program which falls under the CRD, is in charge of emergency response in the area.
But when Tennant presented the CRD will a $2000 bill, he was told he didn't have the authorization to offer to pay volunteers.
The owners of Industrial Plastics and Brian's Mechanical both offered to donate $250 each to help pay the volunteers.
The CRD says it is still looking into the issue.
Victoria BC Bike Ride - Galloping Goose Trail Uptown to Downtown
A ride along the Galloping Goose bike trail in Victoria BC Canada, Vancouver Island as I ride from the Uptown area south to the city core - filmed by @gletham
Stone Ridge Estates Phase 3 Sooke, Vancouver Island, B.C.
Our most spectacular views yet! Exciting Phase III in breathtaking Stone Ridge Estates the area's preeminent Ocean View Subdivision has finally been released to the market there may be no better ocean view lots available in the capital region with walking trails and parkland these stunning view lots offer cascading views over this idyllic seaside village where a carpet of conifers stretch from Stone Ridge Estates parkland border all the way to the ocean unrivaled views over Whiffin Spit, the Strait of Juan de Fuca framed by a majestic Olympic Mountain backdrop that all combine to offer an ever-changing West Coast collage that quite simply can't be found anywhere else. Stoneridge Estates, master-planned, conveniently close to everything.
Driving Tour of Port Hardy BC
Welcome to the Virtual Tour of Port Hardy BC.
Port Hardy is a district municipality in British Columbia, Canada located on the northeastern end of Vancouver Island. Port Hardy has a population of 4,132 at last census (2016). It is the gateway to Cape Scott Provincial Park, the North Coast Trail and the BC Marine Trail, located on the northernmost tip of Vancouver Island. The community has access to spectacular wilderness adventures, such as kayaking, caving, world-class scuba diving, nature viewing, surfing, unique saltwater rapids, fishing and camping.
Port Hardy's twin city is Numata, Japan.
Port Hardy was named after Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy who served as the captain of H.M.S. Victory.
Once a year, Port Hardy holds a celebration in Rotary Park to acknowledge its natural resource based economy. The three syllables, fi, lo and mi, stand for fishing, logging and mining. The celebration includes festivities in the park such as activities for children, fundraising concessions, entertainment, beer gardens, bake sales, craft sales, and fireworks. A dance for each age group and a parade are also held on Filomi Days weekend- typically the third weekend in July.
Port Hardy's economy relies greatly on tourism. Ferries to Prince Rupert, another popular tourist destination in British Columbia, depart every other day during peak season. Tourist traffic in the summer is immense, and hotels and restaurants usually find themselves with no room to accommodate all travelers.
Deer, black bears, bald eagles, squirrels, seals, salmon and many other species of birds and mammals are often spotted along the Quatse Loop Nature Trail or at Storey's Beach which is a short drive from town. Humpback whales can occasionally been seen surfacing in the bay. Port Hardy has many wildlife charters, fishing charters and places to camp during tourist season.
Port Hardy has an oceanic climate due to its proximity to the Pacific moderating influence. As a result summers are very cool for the latitude, whereas winters instead are very mild. Although there is a strong drying trend in summer, its summer rainfall is still higher than those of the southerly Mediterranean climates. Winter rainfall is very high and in general Port Hardy is far wetter than Canada's interior.
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Please watch: Mister Carwash- Awesome Drive through experience
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The Official Sooke, British Columbia, Tourism Video
Sooke, British Columbia is a picturesque, seaside town situated on the dynamic south-western shores of Vancouver Island. Sooke boasts fabulous accommodations, restaurants, galleries and shops, as well as provincial parks, unspoiled rainforests, tranquil beaches -- a destination well worth the short trip from Victoria: British Columbia's capital city.
From its top-rated restaurants and world-renowned accommodations to its acres of rainforest and windswept coastlines, the artisan Sooke community offers endless possibilities:
Stroll along the sandy shorelines, ideal for beachcombing and uncovering marine treasures.
Rent a kayak and tour the Sooke basin, which expands into the open waters of the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Take to open water to observe Orcas, Humpback and Grey whales, Elephant Seals and other marine life in their natural habitat.
Embark on a fishing charter and 'catch' your dinner.
Watch the Harbour Seals hover around the fish cleaning stations at a local marina.
Enjoy the ambience while you sip honey wine at a local meadery.
Pamper yourself at one of Sooke's tranquil spas.
Visit a local artist's studio.
Hike and explore East Sooke Regional Park's more than 3,500 acres of ancient coastal rainforest.
However you like to spend your time, Sooke, British Columbia has something for everyone. So, what's stopping you from discovering Sooke? Explore DiscoverSooke.com and then travel to Sooke to experience the attractions and activities firsthand.
2016 Parks Canada BioBlitz on Shaw TV - Gulf Islands
Shaw TV's Lisa Pysmenny heads to Sidney spit to capture some of the local biodiversity in preparation of this year's BioBlitz.
For more information: bb2016gulfislands.eventbrite.ca
Connect with Us!
Twitter: twitter.com/ShawTV_SVI
Facebook: facebook.com/goislandsouth
Website: shaw.ca/ShawTV/Victoria/
Global News BC - Cathedral Grove & the NDP on Forestry
Unfortunately the NDP's forestry platform makes no mention of protecting old-growth forests, but instead promotes the status quo of planting more trees (tree plantations do not support the endangered species, tourism, and climate like old-growth forests do) and the Council Of Forest Industry's president thinks they have a fine plan! COFI is the industry trade association comprised of many of the largest old-growth logging corporations in BC.
Send your LETTER to BC's politicians at
Please SIGN our PETITION at
Conservationists are calling for much stronger, comprehensive old-growth protection policies in BC after having discovered a major logging threat to Canada's most famous old-growth forest, Cathedral Grove in MacMillan Provincial Park on Vancouver Island. Conservationists came across survey tape marked Falling Boundary and Road Location in an old-growth Douglas fir and hemlock forest only 300 meters from the park boundary last week. See photos and a map (based on some GPS points) at:
The planned cutblock by Island Timberlands is about 40 hectares and lies within a formerly protected Ungulate (deer) Winter Range. It lies on the southwest facing slope of Mt. Horne on the ridge above the park and highway that millions of tourists pass through each year. Logging the area would further fragment the forest that is contiguous with the small park, destroying an important wildlife corridor from mountain ridge to valley bottom in an area that conservationists once hoped the park could include for the deer winter range. The logging would also threaten eco-tourism in the area, by destroying a major section of the popular hiking trail, the Mt. Horne Loop Trail, which the cutblock overlaps.
The Ancient Forest Alliance is calling on the BC Liberals and NDP to commit to a provincial plan to protect the province's old-growth forests, to ensure sustainable second-growth forestry, and to end the export of raw, unprocessed logs to foreign mills. For private lands, the organization is calling for a provincial park acquisition fund of $40 million/year to purchase endangered ecosystems on private land for protection, similar to the park acquisition funds of various regional districts, like the Capital Regional District around Victoria.
British Columbia Coast Mountains
British Columbia coastal mountains. A flight over the southern British Columbia Coast Mountains, Canada.
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
British Columbia(B.C. or BC) (French: la Colombie-Britannique, C.-B.) is the westernmost of Canada's provinces. Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858 and, in 1871, it became the sixth province of Canada. Its Latin motto is Splendor sine occasu (Splendour without Diminishment).
As well as being the westernmost province of Western Canada, British Columbia is also a component of the Pacific Northwest, along with the US states of Oregon and Washington.[4][5] The province has strong cultural and personal ties to the Canadian Prairies and Ontario as well as to the West Coast of the United States and to Alaska and the Yukon.[according to whom?]
The capital of British Columbia is Victoria, the 15th largest metropolitan region in Canada, named for Canada's Queen at Confederation. The largest city is Vancouver, the third-largest metropolitan area in Canada, the largest in Western Canada, and the second largest in the Pacific Northwest. In 2009, British Columbia had an estimated population of 4,419,974 (about two and a half million of whom were in Greater Vancouver). The province is currently governed by the BC Liberal Party, led by Premier Christy Clark, who became leader as a result of the party election on February 26, 2011.
British Columbia's economy is largely resource-based. It is the endpoint of transcontinental highways and railways and the site of major Pacific ports, which enable international trade. Though less than five percent of its land is arable, the province is agriculturally rich (particularly in the Fraser and Okanagan Valleys) because of its mild weather. Its climate encourages outdoor recreation and tourism, though its economic mainstay has long been resource extraction, principally logging and mining. While the coast of BC and certain valleys in the south-central part of the province have mild weather, the majority of BC's land mass experiences a cold winter temperate to subarctic climate similar to the rest of Canada.
Among the provinces, British Columbia has been distinguished by its strong liberal views (in stark contrast to the other provinces west of Ontario), as evidenced by the electoral success of left-wing political parties in the province (see e.g. List of British Columbia general elections). The province's unspoiled natural beauty, untamed wild and economic dependence on the land and natural resources in particular are a strong embodiment of the Western Canadian identity [according to whom?]. Its position as the Asia-Pacific gateway resulted in immigration to the province by people of Asian descent, making it one of the most diverse and multicultural areas of Western North America.
Sooke Potholes Regional Park Campground
Affordable, self-contained camping in the forest, under the stars along the Sooke River. A partnership of between T’Sou-ke Nation who operate Spring Salmon Place [KWL-UCHUN] campground and the Capital Regional District, who manage it. Find out more at
The Hidden Story Behind Vancouver's Twin Peaks
The Lions are two of the most famous mountain peaks in Canada. But they have a much, much older name that's tied to a story from long before the city was founded.
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MERCH:
You can read the full story of “The Two Sisters” as told to Pauline Johnson by Joe Capilano here:
You’ll find many of the others legends found in the book on that same fantastic Legends of Vancouver website too, along with a map for a walking tour of many of the landmarks—most of them in Stanley Park:
This episode, maybe even more than any other we’ve done so far, relied on collaboration beyond our little team of four.
First off, we want to thank Stefany Mathias so much for reading the passage from “The Two Sisters”. As we mention in the episode, she’s the great-granddaughter of Joe and Mary Capilano and one of sixteen hereditary chiefs of the Squamish Nation. She’s also an actor who you might know from shows like DaVinci’s Inquest and Longmire. It’s a dream come true to have her read that passage. You can follow her…
On Instagram:
Twitter:
And Facebook:
If you’d like to learn more about the history of the Squamish Nation, they share a bit more about it on their website:
We were also honoured to be guests on the territory of the Six Nations near Brantford, Ontario, while we were filming at Chiefswood. Pauline Johnson’s birthplace and childhood home is a national historic site now, which you can visit yourself:
The Six Nations shares a bit more about the history of the Haudenosaunee on their website, too:
Johnson loved Vancouver’s natural surroundings, and spent long hours exploring the city’s waters in her canoe. She even did a little renaming of her own while she was there: coming up with a new moniker for a little tidal bay that has been turned into a permanent lake in Stanley Park. The Squamish called it Ch'ekxwa'7lech; the settlers called it Coal Harbour; Johnson wrote a poem about it called “The Lost Lagoon” and that’s still the name it’s known by today.
Fun fact: Johnson was the very first Canadian woman to appear on a stamp. And just a few years ago, she was one of the five women picked as finalists when the government was deciding who to feature on the new $10 bill. (They eventually picked Viola Desmond, who might be in your wallet right now.)
We’d also like to thank the family of Ben Lim. He’s the North Vancouver artist who did the illustrations for the 1961 edition of Legends of Vancouver, which is an absolutely gorgeous little book. We’re thrilled to have been able to use his art in our episode. Sadly, he passed away in 2016, but he left a remarkable artistic legacy behind, including extraordinary ceramic sculptures of the wildlife of the West Coast.
You can check out some of those sculptures from the Doodlebug Dabblings blog, and see how his work inspired children who visited his 2016 exhibition at the Seymour Gallery, here:
And finally, we’d like to thank the Seymour Gallery, as well. They’re a not-for-profit who’ve been bringing art, performances and education programs to North Vancouver since 1985:
Those giant old trees that used to tower above the forest floor in the places where Vancouver’s glass skyscrapers now stand weren’t only coveted by the city’s own settlers. Some of them were chopped down to be sent off to China on the order of the Celestial Emperor of China. He used them to make huge beams — dozens of them — which are now part of the Gate of Heavenly Peace in Beijing’s Forbidden City. You may also know that gate by its Chinese name: The Tiananmen. And if you’re interested in Chinese gates, then oh boy, do we ever have an episode for you:
Oh, and while we’re at it, we’ve also got an episode about King Edward VII — the monarch that Joe Capilano petitioned on his trip to London. Or, at least, about a statue of the king that stands in a park outside the Ontario legislature in Toronto, but which used to stand outside a 400 year-old fort half a world away:
Sunshine Coast.. Earls cove
Scooting the Sunshine Coast.. from Langdale to Earls Cove on 70cc.
Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail
This challenging 13 kilometre trail in Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Park forms part of The Great Trail.
SunRiver Community Gardens (SRG) AppleFest 2015
Music By:
Dharma Duet Relaxation Suite by Steven Halpern