This weekend will be a special one on northern Haida Gwaii.
As well as joining in the rest of the country in celebrating National Aboriginal Day on Saturday, June 21, the Old Massett Village Council and BC Parks are inviting people from throughout the islands for not one but two grand opening celebrations in Naikoon Provincial Park.
The opening of the fully-accessible Tow Hill Boardwalk will begin at 2 p.m. in the Tow Hill Parking lot. The boardwalk will allow those with mobility disabilities to enjoy not only the old growth forest leading to the beach, but access to the Towhill blowhole.
Following the opening of the boardwalk, everyone is invited to celebrate the grand opening of the Old Massett Village Council's Hiellen Longhouses with a barbecue on the site. Located across across the Hiellen River, adjacent to the boardwalk, the village would act as a camping ground in the summer season, where visitors can camp and experience an authentic Haida experience including cultural tours being
offered. In the off-season the village would be used as a gathering place for community programming.
Due to high traffic expected, organizers are asking people to park only on one side of the road or, preferably, catch the shuttle at Agate Beach to Tow Hill.