well-known b.c. fishing lodge purchased by haida nation
4 minute read
queen charlotte lodge, in haida gwaii.
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the haida nation has purchased one of b.c.’s best-known luxury fishing resorts, bringing haida gwaii’s most recognizable destination under indigenous ownership.
paul clough has been at the helm of the queen charlotte lodge, a 20-acre property on the site of a former whaling station at naden harbour in haida gwaii, since the late 1990s. this week, he announced the lodge has been sold to the council of the haida nation.
“i can tell you that there’s a lot of blood, sweat, and tears in this. we’ve had a lot of wonderful guests, a lot of wonderful people we’ve worked with, where we’ve loved absolutely almost every single minute of it, and it’s a beautiful part of the world, and we’re very happy to be able to have the opportunity to work with the haida people to create this beautiful opportunity for people to visit,” clough said in an interview.
“we’ve been working at this for over 27 years. we’re very proud of what we’ve accomplished here, and perhaps it was a good time to maybe move on, so that’s that’s kind of where we left it.”
in a joint statement issued friday, the council of the haida nation and queen charlotte lodge said they have reached an agreement for the sale of the lodge’s property and equipment. financial terms, including the sale price, were not disclosed, although the sale is expected to close in late 2027.
clough told postmedia that he couldn’t share any details of the agreement, including whether the name would be changed or whether staff would keep their jobs.
“this has been a thoughtful and deeply considered decision, one that did not come easily,” said clough. “i think there are mixed emotions from a lot of the staff. i think for the people that have been with us for all these years, they are saddened, of course, but they also know that there’s a future…i’m confident that hey’ll be happy with whatever happens.”
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jason alsop, president of the haida nation council who also goes by the name gaagwiis, said the acquisition will allow the haida to reconnect with naden harbour. the eight-mile-long inlet on the north coast of graham island is the largest in haida gwaii.
“néedan gawée naden harbour has always been a significant place for the haida nation,” said alsop. “we are excited for the future opportunities this agreement unlocks for the haida nation based on the engagement with haida citizens.”
the haida nation did not return calls from postmedia on friday.
the lodge has worked together with the council in a “mutually respectful way” to “transition” the lodge to the haida people, said clough, president of queen charlotte lodge ltd.
the lodge has been a “proud member of the haida gwaii community for more than 30 years and we will always hold haida gwaii and its people close to our hearts,” he said.
the lodge, which generally operates from may to september, is only accessible by boat and air. most guests board a chartered aircraft from vancouver to masset, then take a helicopter the rest of the way to the property.
rates are between $4,700 to $8,500 for three- or four-night accommodations, and include self-guided fishing and a boat. guided fishing costs an additional $1,650 to $4,750 per boat for three or four days.
haida culture was incorporated into the lodge’s early days as a fishing destination.
the previous owner, who acquired the site in 1990, had consulted with the haida and local community before the lodge was built, according to the lodge’s website.
when it opened its doors, it was given the haida name ta ja’uus na ka ganaas (which means a place to weather the storm) by a haida elder during an opening ceremony, which featured traditional drumming, dancing, eagle-down scattering and a haida feast.
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tensions between the lodge and the haida nation surfaced in the summer of 2020 when the lodge reopened to customers amid the covid pandemic.
the province had moved toward a graduated opening, but the nation had not lifted a state of emergency on the islands.
the hotel said guests were transferred by air, completely bypassing first nations communities.
but the hereditary chiefs’ council accused the lodge of putting profit ahead of the environment and community, alleging a history of disregarding conservation measures and marine safety and of treating the land “as little more than a playground for those who make money spoiling the earth.”
“if queen charlotte lodge had ever been welcomed, it has lost its welcome on haida gwaii,” it said in its 2020 statement.
with files from tiffany crawford
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