‘It’s an amazing place’: Saysutshun Island draws tourists seeking cultural experience

Marty Bigchild smiled from behind the wheel of the Saysutshun ferry Friday, preparing for big crowds of tourists within weeks.

“It’s an amazing place,” said the Snuneymuxw man, who camped on Saysutshun as a child.

The marine park is just a seven-minute boat ride across Nanaimo’s harbour, and famous for its light, champagne-coloured raccoons that stand out along the shoreline while fishing.

“I do feel like there’s magic here,” said Bigchild.

“[It’s] one of the most beautiful Islands in Canada, if not the world. It’s a very special place,” said Saysutshun Guest Services’ Heather Annan.

Saysutshun is considered a spiritual Island to the Snuneymuxw people, and now is also a BC Park, run by the Snuneymuxw First Nation. Roughly 90 per cent of the employees on Saysutshun, are Snuneymuxw.

“It was an Island that was in the traditional territories of the Snuneymuxw First Nation and was used for harvesting herring and the training of warriors and for spiritual healing,” said Saysutshun Park Manager Philip Clark.

According to the B.C. government, Indigenous tourism was the fastest growing tourism sector in B.C. before the pandemic hit and generated 700-million dollars annually.

But, as tourism takes off post-pandemic, and hotels in Victoria and Tofino report they are already filling up for summer, Indigenous tourism operators like Saysutshun are stepping up to offer a unique alternative — offering cultural tours, that include the sharing of legends, salmon barbecues and sharing the spiritual place with campers.

“Indigenous tourism is such a huge draw. People are tremendously interested in learning more about our history,” said Tourism Nanaimo acting executive director Jenn Houtby-Ferguson.

“Tourism doesn’t need to be focused solely in Victoria or Tofino. Here, there’s a lot to offer in each community. Nanaimo especially,” said Clark.

According to Tourism Nanaimo, operators are already seeing pent up demand in strong summer bookings.

“We are anticipating a very, very strong summer season. At this point we’re hearing from our operators that July and August are very strong,” said Houtby-Ferguson.

Demand is only expected to grow with spillover from Tofino and Victoria, as tourism and summer temperatures heat up, especially as post-pandemic travel resumes and people explore new destinations they finally can visit.

sryan@cheknews.ca

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