Alert Bay Attractions
Alert Bay, on the small, crescent-shaped Cormorant Island (45 minutes by ferry from Port McNeill via Sointula), is the site of one of the earliest Nimpkish Indian (Kwakiutl) coastal settlements. At the end of the 18th c. Indians were encouraged to move to the island to make up a workforce for salmon curing during the fishing season. This in turn led to the establishment of a mission station (Church Mission). Today the inhabitants of the delightful little fishing village and the Nimpkish Indian Reserve total about 1100. Twelve elaborately carved totem poles adorn the Indian cemetery while in nearby Fir St. a small local museum has been set up. A short distance along is the Village Office (information). Sunday services at the charming Anglican church (on the waterfront; built in 1879) are in Kwakiutl.
Alert Bay Public Library and Museum
The Alert Bay Library and Museum hosts a collection of over 6,700 photographs of Alert Bay and area dating back to the mid 1800's. Paintings and carvings by such renowned Kwawaka'wakw artists as Charlie James, Henry Speck and Mungo Martin are also featured.
Alert Bay Public Library and Museum
Box 440
Alert Bay, BC V0N1A0
Canada
Box 440
Alert Bay, BC V0N1A0
Canada
Phone 1 (250) 974-5721
Fax 1 (250) 974-5026
Hours
July 1 to August 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 21:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
September 1 to June 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 13:00 | Closed | 13:00 | Closed | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 21:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
Totem Pole
Alert Bay is home to what is perhaps the world's tallest totem pole, at 173 feet (two parts), carved by six Kwakwaka'wakw artists. The fourteen figures depicted on this pole represent some of the tribes of the Kwakwaka'wakw nation.
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