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Penelakut
Island
Penelakut Island formerly known as Kuper Island is located east
of Chemainus by four nautical miles just south across Canoe Pass
from Thetis Island.
Mediterranean
Climate
Penelakut Island is a small island with an area of around 9 square
km (3.5 square miles). The island sits in a rain shadow that forms
across the Strait of Georgia and gets very little precipitation
with lots of sunshine creating a very unique eco-system, sometimes
described as Mediterranean.
BC
Ferries Scheduled Sailing
To get to Kuper Island, there is a scheduled BC Ferries that does
the tri-sailing route between Chemainus,
Thetis Island and the ferry terminal at Telegraph Harbour on Penelakut
Island.
Penelakut
First Nation
Penelakut Island is home to a Penelakut First Nation, an affiliate
with the Hul'qumi'num Treaty Group. The Penelakut First Nation Reserve
No. 7 is home to around 300 people. There is no commercial development
on the island and, besides private homes, has only a Roman Catholic
Church.
No
Public Entry
Unfortunately, Penelakut Island is not generally open to the public.
Certain exceptions will be made but only with prior permission from
the Penelakut Band Council by telephoning (250) 246-2321.
Healing
Circles
The Roman Catholic Church has been in existence on Kuper Island
since the late 1800's with a Residential School once established
here. Various healing circles and tribal togetherness are ongoing
to the Penelakut and play a major factor in the lives of its present-day
inhabitants.
'The
Cut'
The island can best be viewed by boat or across an exciting channel
nicknamed 'The Cut' from Thetis Island near the Telegraph Harbour
Marina.This narrow passage between Thetis Island and Kuper Island
is quite shallow and has been attempted by boaters at high tide.
Remember check tide charts before entering 'The Cut.'
Thetis
Harbour
Thetis Harbour provides some of the finest moorage anchorages in
the southern Gulf Islands. Nearby to the moorage is some excellent
boating off of Penelakut Island with some marine parks nearby.
Information
on Kuper Island
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