B.C. Mission Boat Society

The BC Mission Boat Society visits remote communities on the BC central cost and west coast of Vancouver Island. Since 1999, we have sent short-term mission teams to fourteen different First Nations communities. Our missions are divided into two categories: land-based missions and boat-based missions.

Year-round, the BC Mission Boat society offers groups the opportunity to participate in a land based mission team. Land teams are a wonderful opportunity for individuals, families, church groups, youth groups, and organizations to participate in a mission.

Our mission teams travel to the communities by automobile, plane, ferry or water taxi, and stay in the community for the duration of their mission. Accommodations vary depending on the location: teams stay at schools, churches, health centres, private homes, spare houses or even camp-out in tents.

Teams are usually made up of 4 to 12 people. There is no minimum or maximum age, but good health and agility are required. Younger participants will need to travel with a parent or guardian.

Land teams are immersed into all aspects of the community. While on site your team will be accompanied by a BC Mission Boat staff member or experienced volunteer. Activities your group might offer or participate could include Vacation Bible Schools for children (Kids Camp), youth activities, visits to elders and shut-ins at home, fellowship gatherings, Bible studies, and music worship. Flexibility and the willingness to be led by the Spirit into other ways your group can serve are encouraged.

There are opportunities for people to come and serve in the following locations: Kyuquot, Ahousaht, Oclucje, Zeballos, Bella Bella, Klemtu, Kingcome, and Rivers Inlet. Teams often return to the same location year after year, but we always match a team with the most appropriate location based on the ministry needs of specific communities, and the make-up of the team. To read more about these locations, see Locations We Visit.

The BC Mission Boat assists your group by:

Co-ordinating your visit with the community representatives
Arranging travel to and from the community
Arranging accommodation and program venues
Providing an orientation to short-term missions and working with First Nations communities
Advertising your programs in the community
Helping to plan activities
Providing a staff member or experienced volunteer to accompany you on your mission

There is a $250.00 (CAD) administration fee requested from each group to cover administrative expenses and travel for our staff member or volunteer. Each group is responsible for travel costs, food and accommodation. Feedback from past groups indicates that a budget of up to $250.00 / person (PLUS any cost to travel to Vancouver Island from your home) is a realistic estimate for your costs.

To learn more about Land Based Missions, please contact us at (250) 248-5300 or 1-877 303-2323. Please note that each team is assessed and matched with the most appropriate location based on the Society's past experience and knowledge of the respective communities.

The Board of Directors of the BC Mission Boat Society, in a meeting Monday, November 29, 2010, have made a strategic decision to focus on year round land based ministry. This reflects the growing trend of the last few years, the changing interest of our mission volunteers, and available resources. Currently land based mission teams represent 75% of our year round ministry. To focus in this direction, we have decided not to lease a boat in the summer of 2011. We have been led to this decision through careful prayer, and discussions, including the additional meeting held on Nov. 29th. We believe it will enable more individuals, youth groups, and churches to experience and share God's love in the communities we are privileged to work with on the BC coast. We are excited about this, and invite you to join us in praying for God's continued leading and guidance for the BCMBS.

COMMUNITIES WE VISIT - YEAR-ROUND MINISTRY LOCATIONS

AHOUSAHT

Location: Flores Island in Clayquot Sound off the west coast of Vancouver Island

Access: Daily water taxi from Tofino on Vancouver Island

First Nations People: Ahousaht First Nation, part of the Nuu-Chah-nulth Tribal Council

Population: About 1,000 (~30% under the age of 18)

BCMBS Activity: Year-round visitation by land teams and outreach workers since 2003, bi-annual visits by boat-crews.

Links: Nuu-Chah-nulth Tribal Council , Nuu-Chah-nulth on Wikipedia

BELLA BELLA

Location: Campbell Island on the central BC Coast, about 180 km north of Port Hardy

Access: Float plane or ferry from Port Hardy

First Nations People: Heiltsuk Nation

Population:: About 1500

BCMB Activity:: Year-round visitation by land teams, boat crews and outreach workers; at least four visits each year.

Links: Heiltsuk Tribal Council, Bella Bella on Wikipedia ,

EHATTESAHT/ZEBALLOS

Location: Zeballos Inlet on the northwest coast of Vancouver Island. Ehattesaht village is located across the creek from the Village of Zeballos.

Access: By boat or by logging road (270 km from Parksville on Highway 19, then 45 km by logging road)

First Nations People: Ehattesaht First Nation, part of the Nuu-Chah-nulth Tribal Council

Population:: ~200 in Zeballos, ~80 in Ehattesaht.

BCMB Activity:: -round visitation by land teams and outreach workers, bi-annual visits by boat-crews.

Links: Village of Zeballos, Ehattesaht Tribe, Nuu-chah-nulth on Wikipedia,

KINGCOME

Location: Gwa'Yi village at the mouth of the Kingcome River, 2 miles from the mouth of Kingcome Inlet in the Queen Charlotte Straight.

Access: By water taxi from Port McNeill to the mouth of the river, then by small boat to the village.

First Nations People: Tsawataineuk First Nation, a member of the Musgamagw Tsawataineuk Tribal Council.

Population: ~90, with ~20 children enrolled in the school

BCMB Activity: Year-round visitation by land teams, boat crews and outreach workers since 2002; at least four visits each year.

Links: Dzawada'enuxw First Nation, Musgamagw Tsawataineuk Tribal Council

KLEMTU

Location: Swindle Island on the central BC Coast, half-way between Port Hardy and Prince Rupert

Access: Float plane or ferry from Bella Bella

First Nations People: Kitasoo/Xai'xais Nation

Population:: ~ 500

BCMBS Activity: Year-round visits by land teams, boat crews and outreach workers; at least four visits each year.

Links: Kitasoo/Xai'xais Nation & the community of Klemtu, Klemtu Tourism, Klemtu on Wikipedia

KYUQUOT

Location: Kyuquot Sound on the west coast of Vancouver Island

Access: 45 minute water taxi from Fair Harbour

First Nations People: Ka:'yu:'k't'h'/Che:k:tles7et'h' First Nation (Kyuquot/Cheklesahht First Nation), a member of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council.

Population:: ~200

BCMB Activity:: Year-round visitation by land teams and outreach workers, bi-annual visits by boat-crews.

Links: Kyuquot/Cheklesahht First Nation , Nuu-chah-nulth on Wikipedia

LOCATIONS WE VISIT - PORTS OF CALL

In addition to our land-team locations, during the summer months, the BC Mission Boat also visits the following locations:

French Creek (near Parksville) - where we begin and end our journey
Tribune Bay (on Hornby Island, parallel to Comox valley on Vancouver Island)
Port Neville - (Johnstone Straight opposite of Vancouver Island) Boat crews stop here on their way from French Creek to Port Hardy, where they share in a community meal.
Port McNeill (on the northeast coast of Vancouver Island) - a port at which crew changes take place
Port Hardy (on the northeast coast of Vancouver Island) - where most crew changes take place
Alert Bay (Cormorant Island in the Queen Charlotte Straight) - Home to the 'Namgis First Nation and location of the now-defunct St. Michael's Residential School.
Gilford Island (Gwa'yadams village on Gilford Island, located between Tribune Chanel and Knight Inlet) - Home to the Kwicksutaineuk-ah-kwa-mish First Nation, part of the Musgamagw Tsawataineuk Tribal Council. Visits include a Kid's Camp for the children.
Hopetown (on the south shore of Watson Island in Grappler Sound, off the northwest coast of Vancouver Island) - Boat crews stop here to offer a day of Kid's Camp for any children that are visiting. There are no year-round residents here.
Shawl Bay (Simoom Sound off the northeast coast of Vancouver Island) - a marina that is an over-night stop for boat crews
Echo Bay (Simoom Sound off the northeast coast of Vancouver Island)
Sointula (on Malcom Island, northeast of Port McNeill) - location for an over-night stop or day-visit
Rivers Inlet (Oweekeno Village on the banks of the Wannock River at the entrance to Owikeno Lane, east of Rivers Inlet) - Home to the Wuikinuxv First Nation, part of the Oweekeno Kitasoo Nuxalk Tribal Council. Boat crews leave the Mission Boat and stay in the community for several days to offer a range of programs, including Kid's Camp. This community is eager for more visits.
Namu (BC central coast, about 150 km north of Vancouver Island) - Site of a historical BC salmon cannery and an archeological site that shows evidence of human occupation going back some 10,000 years.
Dawsons Landing (on the northwest side of Rivers Inlet)
Bull Harbour (on Hope Island, opposite the northern-most tip of Vancouver Island) - protected harbor and home to members of the Tlatlasikwala Nation.
Yuquot/Friendly Cove (Nootka Sound, on the west coast of Vancouver Island) - Home to the Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nations, part of the Nuu-chah-nulth-aht Tribal Council.
Esperanza (Ezperanza inlet on the west coast of Vancouver island)
Gold River (on the northeast side Muchalat Inlet in Nootka Sound) - A crew change location on the West Coast.