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Klemtu is a major First Nations village located in
Swindle Island, south of Princess Royal, in the coastal fjords of
British Columbia, and behind the small Cone Island.
Klemtu is the
home of the
Kitasoo tribe of
Tsimshians, originally from Kitasu Bay, and the Xai'xais of Kynoc Inlet, these two tribal organizations live
together as the Kitasoo/Xai'xais Nation.
The Xai'xais are a subgroup of the
Heiltsuk people. Current
population in Klemtu (2007) is around 500 people.
Accessible only by boat or by plane, Klemtu is serviced by the
Discovery Coast Ferry who also serviced the neighbouring coastal
communities including Shearwater, Bella Bella and
Ocean Falls.
A beautiful Big House sits atop a point that faces Finlayson Channel.
This Big House was completed in May 2002. In front of the Big
House is a Watchman Totem Pole with both hands embracing the Kitasoo and
Xaixai's tribal representations.
Klemtu is the home of the Kermodei Spirit Bear and is part of the Great
Bear Rainforest. You can find more information about the Kermodei
Spirit Bear from the Raincoast Conservation Society www.raincoast.org.
A public dock provides overnight moorage for visiting boaters.
There is also a fuel dock, which is the only fuel stop between Bella
Bella (30 miles south) and Hartley Bay (65 miles north) for
boaters travelling the BC Inside Passage.
Amenities for boaters include: diesel, propane, gas, water, public
phone, ATM machine, showers, laundry, cafe, grocery store and a
convenient store. Klemtu has excellent cell phone coverage
and a sophisticated water treatment system.
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