Stikine Guidebook - Regional District of Kitimat Stikine

Guide to the
STIKINE
Overview
THE STIKINE WELCOMES YOU
Located in the picturesque northwest BC, the Stikine region is home to several communities rich in Talhtan First Nations history
including Dease Lake, Telegraph Creek, and Iskut. Just 236 kilometers south of the Yukon border, Dease Lake offers access to some
of Canada’s largest natural parks, Spatsizi Wilderness Park and Mount Edziza Park. Discover remote wilderness in the Stikine region
with endless recreation opportunities from guided horseback riding in the summer months to cross country skiing in the winter.
In between the communities of Dease Lake and Iskut is the unique point where the Dease and Liard rivers flow north, and the
Stikine River flows west into the Arctic and Pacific Oceans. The Stikine River has become popular spot for canoe and kayaking
trips, some have made the journey from Telegraph Creek to Wrangell, Alaska. The lakes in the region are renowned for their Arctic
Grayling, Northern Pike, Rainbow Trout, and massive Lake Trout species, while the nearby rivers fill with salmon in the spring and
summer months. Wildlife is thriving in the region, moose, bear, caribou, mountain goats, and wolverines are just a few of the species
roaming the area. If you’re searching for a truly remote wilderness, rich in history and culture, with plenty of
opportunity for adventure right in your backyard, then the Stikine region
just might be the place for you!
History
For thousands of years the Tahltan have occupied this region with deep respect
for the land as a source of food and life. In fact, the Tahltan First Nations are
known as the keepers of the land or “Dena nenn Sogga neh ‘ine” in their
traditional language. Using the obsidian rock created by the lava flows of Mount
Edziza to make weapons and tools, the Tahltan were able to hunt, trade with
neighboring First Nations, and live off the land for generations. This connection
with the land is still very much alive today in the Tahltan Territory.
In 1838, a Hudson’s Bay Company’s post was established at the source of
a mountain stream, a place known as “Talh’ah”, or Head of the Lake by the
Tahltan. The post at Dease Lake, as it was called, became a popular stop on the
gold rush trail in 1864 and 1873 and even more so later during the Klondike
Gold Rush with the Stikine River serving as the major transport route inland
to the Yukon. Tahltan Territory was not accessible by road until 1972 when
Highway 37 was completed, running north along the Iskut River and Lakes to
Dease Lake, Cassiar and the Yukon. There are three Tahltan communities today
Iskut (Luwe Chon), Dease Lake (Talh’ah) and Telegraph Creek (Tlegohin).
Travelling to the Stikine Region
Air: Connections to domestic and international airports are made easy
with airports offering domestic flights in Terrace, Smithers and Dease Lake.
Northwest Regional Airport (Terrace)
Airlines: Air Canada, West Jet, Central Mountain Air, Hawkair and Northern Thunderbird Air
Flights: Daily non-stop flights to Vancouver, Calgary, Kelowna, Prince George, Dease Lake
Dease Lake Airport
Airlines: Northern Thunderbird Air
Flights: Scheduled flights to Terrace and Smithers
Highway: From Kitwanga Junction on Highway 16 to the Yukon,
the Stewart-Cassiar Highway (HWY 37) is one of only two routes from
B.C. to the Yukon and the State of Alaska. The total distance from the
junction of Highway 16 to the Yukon border is 725 kilometers (450
miles). Along the highway surrounded by mountain vistas are the
communities of Iskut and Dease Lake. Take the turn at Dease Lake
and experience the winding Telegraph Creek Road (HWY 51).
MILEAGE
CHART
Terrace
Whitehorse
Prince
George
Kelowna
Edmonton
Vancouver
Seattle
ISKUT
500 km
(6.5 hrs)
734 km
(10 hrs)
885 km
(10.5 hrs)
1,595 km
(17.5 hrs)
1,623 km
(18.5 hrs)
1,668 km
(19 hrs)
1,779 km
(20.5 hrs)
DEASE
TELEGRAPH
LAKE
CREEK
598 km
680 km
(7.5 hrs)
(9 hrs)
650 km
760 km
(8.5hrs)
(11.5 hrs)
970 km
1,077 km
(12 hrs)
(15 hrs)
1,678 km 1,786 km
(19 hrs)
(22 hrs)
1,707 km 1,815 km
(20 hrs)
(23 hrs)
1,752 km 1,860 km
(20.5 hrs)
(23.5 hrs)
1,862 km 1,970 km
(21.5 hrs)
(25 hrs)
GETTING HERE
Proximity to other Communities
Population for Stikine Region
Iskut: 648 Dease Lake: 475 Telegraph Creek: 400
Top Employers
COMMUNITY
Tahltan Nation Development Corporation
Imperial Metals
School District 87
Northern Health
Housing Affordability
The cost of buying a home in one of the communities
in this region is well below the provincial average.
- Small to medium sized home
$100,000 - $150,000
- Large home on acreage
$150,000 - $250,000
Dease Lake Average
Temperature
High
Jan -13°C
April 7°C
July 19°C
Oct 6°C
Low
-22°C
5°C
6°C
-3°C
Education:
Religious Centers
and Churches
Tahltan School (K-9): With approximately 40 students, school staff take pride in
the continuous improved success their students have shown in academics. The school
embraces and promotes local culture and traditions through activities such as Tahltan
language lessons, fishing, trapping, camping and hunting.
Telegraph Creek:
• St.Theresa’sParish
• St.Aidan’sParish
Dease Lake School (K-12): Serving approximately 110 students from around the
area, the school focuses on respecting Tahltan heritage and culture and looks forward to
the future with optimism. Students and staff at the Dease Lake School are equipped to
be lifelong learners and committed to giving back something positive to the community.
Northern Lights College: Located in the heart of the Stikine, the Northern
Lights College Dease Lake Campus works closely with industry and business to meet
the educational needs of their employees and the people who live in the region. The
Dease Lake Campus holds short training courses such as Basic Fire-Fighting or Heavy
Equipment Operator training to prepare students for potential work opportunities.
Northern Lights College also offers a wide range of highly interactive courses that you
can take entirely over the Internet.
Dease Lake:
• LivingWatersChristian
Community Church
• Samaritan’sPurseDeaseLake
Ministry Centre
• ChurchofSt.MaryMagdelene
Iskut:
• ChurchofOurLadyofFatima
Healthcare:
Tahltan Health and Social Services Authority: The THSSA delivers
health programs to the on-reserve population. Services include mental health and
addictions, home and community care, as well as environmental health services.
Iskut Valley Health Services: Provides programs and services that promote
and sustain mental, emotional, spiritual and physical well-being of the Iskut people.
These health programs include acute and chronic care clinics, medical emergency
services, dental programs and home care services.
First Nations Health Authority: Nursing station in Telegraph Creek provides
primary care, public health, health promotion and emergency care for First Nations
individuals, families and communities, including after hours on-call care.
SERVICES
Stikine Health Centre: Serving a population of almost 2,000 from the
surrounding area, the Stikine Health Centre has two full time physicians, three full
time nurses and one full time combined laboratory/x-ray technician. Offering public
health and palliative care services as well as physician clinics, residents are able
to access healthcare services regularly in the Stikine region. Specialized health
services can be accessed in the larger northern centres of Terrace, Smithers, or
Prince George. BC Ambulance Service provides coverage in Dease Lake, including
Air Ambulance services.
Top 5 things to do in the Stikine
TOP 5
Experience true wilderness with endless outdoor
recreation opportunities in the Stikine Region.
1
Embrace the outdoors and set up camp at some of the largest provincial parks in British
Columbia. Mount Edziza, Spatsizi Wilderness Plateau, Boya Lake, and Kinaskan Lake Provincial
Parks are all located in the Stikine and are well known for their hiking and fishing opportunities.
2
Grab your paddle and canoe or kayak at one of the lakes or rivers in the area. Some thrill
seekers have made the journey on the Stikine River from Telegraph Creek, British Columbia to
Wrangell, Alaska over 10 river days, travelling downriver over 267 kilometers!
3
Iskut is home to the largest blueberry patch in British Columbia as a result of a huge fire, which
devastated the region almost fifty years ago. Bears can frequently be spotted digging into a
huckleberry feast. Check out the wildlife or spend the day picking berries on the Iskut Burn.
4
For an adventurous journey back in time, take the 112-kilometer gravel road from Dease Lake
to Telegraph Creek along the Grand Canyon of the Stikine. Following a Tahltan trading route
and the path of early gold prospectors, the road winds along the Stikine Canyon, with dramatic
views of the sheer walls cut by the river through layers of volcanic rock.
5
There are endless wildlife viewing opportunities in the Stikine. The region is home to the largest
herd of Stone Sheep in the world, and BC’s largest concentration of woodland caribou gathers
in the Spatsizi for the rut. Spotting mountain goats on the rock walls of the Grand Canyon of the
Stikine and snapping photos of bears, moose, lynx, and wolverines is all possible in a day trip.
TOP EVENTS
1
Dease Lake Fish Derby – “BC’s Largest Northern Lake Trout Derby”
2
4on4 Industry Hockey Tournament
3
Annual Chief’s Ride – Bike ride from Telegraph Creek to Dease Lake to
promote healthy activities and raise vital funds for medical emergencies.
4
Dease Lake Career Fair & Resource Forum
5
National Aboriginal Day Celebrations
6
Tahltan Country Music Jam
Grocery Store
Hardware store Restaurants HOTELS/MOTELS
R.V. parks TRAIL SYSTEMS Provincial Parks
PLAYGROUNDS Arena Gift Shops
ACTIVITIES AND AMENITIES
AMENITIES
POST OFFICE Community halls
DEASE
LAKE
TELEGRAPH
CREEK
1. Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine
Suite 300, 4545 Lazelle Avenue
Terrace, BC, V8G 4E1
250-615-6100
www.rdks.bc.ca
ISKUT
BRITISH
COLUMBIA
Bob
Quinn
Lake
Meziadin
Junction
Stewart
Cranberry
Junction
Nass
Camp
Hazelton
New Aiyansh
Kitwanga
Gitwinksihlkw
Greenville
Rosswood
2. Northern Health
Suite 600, 299 Victoria Street
Prince George, BC, V2L 5B8
250-565-2649
www.northernhealth.ca
COMUNITY CONTACTS
3. School District 87
PO Box 190, Lot 5 Commercial Drive
Dease Lake, BC, V0C 1L0
250-771-4440
www.sd87.bc.ca
Terrace
Prince
Rupert
Smithers
Houston
Kitimat
Prince
George
Vancouver
4. Tahltan Central Government
PO Box 69, Tatl’ah
Dease Lake, BC, V0C 1L0
250-771-3274
www.tahltan.org
5. Northern Lights College
PO Box 220, Lot 10 Commercial Drive
Dease Lake, BC, V0C 1L0
250-771-5500
www.nlc.bc.ca
Produced by the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine
in collaboration with the Tahltan Central Government.
2016