Native Village of New Vancouver

After reaching the northern end of Beware Passage, we circled around Dead Point and arrived at the village of New Vancouver on the north shore of Harbledown Island.

The Native Village of New Vancouver

New Vancouver is the ancestral home of the Da’naxda’xw Native Band, who moved from Knight Inlet in the 1960’s. The site was given to the Da’naxda’xw Band as a wedding gift, when a member of the neighboring Mamalilikulla First Nation on Village Island married a woman of the Da’naxda’xw.

During the 1960’s, native children were sent off to boarding schools, which meant they were separated from their parents. Chief William Glendale of New Vancouver did not want to see his remaining 6 children (12 in all) sent away, so he moved his family to Vancouver Island.

Totem in Honor of Chief William Glendale

William Glendale returned to Harbledown Island in the 1990’s to start anew and rebuild his village that had been left to fade into history. The Canadian government was skeptical that such a goal could be achieved. Chief Glendale was not deterred and built the existing Big House from hand, including the beams, ceiling boards and siding. The government later relented and built the pier and docks seen today. Chief Glendale has since passed away, but his legacy remains with the Big House and totems that describe his family history and the Chief’s destiny as the “chosen one” to perpetuate the Da’naxda’xw Band.

There are 10 year-round residents at New Vancouver, with 20 residents present during the summer months. Several of William Glendale’s family members, including his wife and grandchildren live at the village. A mortuary totem in honor of Chief Glendale is located upland near the head of the pier. A tour of the Big House is provided to visitors for a fee, which we felt was well worth the special experience. Carvings and sacred objects are inside the Big House, and the story of Chief William Glendale is both interesting and inspiring. Our tour was conducted by one of his grandchildren.