visitors

Visitors Resources

Visitor Resources

For information about Travel to Klemtu and Accommodation, visit our How to Get Here page.

Klemtu is a small remote village. There is a grocery store, fuel dock, post office, and health clinic.

If you would like to conduct business in Kitasoo/Xai’xais Territory (e.g. research, tourism, filming), please apply for the applicable Protocol Agreement here.

Kitasoo Xai’xais Nation is actively protecting and stewarding the lands, oceans and resources in the Nation’s territory. Kitasoo Xai’xais Guardians & other Kitasoo Xai’xais Stewardship staff are out in the territory daily undertaking research, monitoring and compliance activities.

Please help us protect and steward our territory for future generations by following our rules and guidelines.

Please report any unusual or suspicious activities to a Guardian Watchmen or the Kitasoo Xai’xais Stewardship Authority office.

Kitasoo Xai’xais Stewardship Authority

Phone: 250-839-1096
Email: admin@kxsa.ca

Restricted Areas Map

Legal NameAlternate NameTypeRestriction
CanoonaCanoona RiverReserveNo land access to Canoona reserve
WeeteeamWeeteeamReserveNo land access to Weeteeam Bay
Kdad eeshBorrowman BayReserveNo land access to Borrowman Bay
KinmakankskDis’juReserveNo land access to Kinmakanksk /Dis’ju Indian Reserve
QuckwaKwa kwaReserveNo access to Kwakwa Creek, Kwakwa Inlet, or Cann Inlet
Goo weePrice CreekReserveNo access to either side of Price Creek to Price Lake
UlthakoushBuie CreekReserveNo land access to Ulthakoush reserve or Buie Creek
Mary’s CoveMary’s CoveReserveNo access to Mary’s Cove
OatswishOatswishReserveNo access to Oatswish reserve or Feeder Creek
Gander IslandGander IslandReserveNo access to Moore Islands
Dil-ma-sowKent InletReserveNo access to Kent Inlet
LattkaloupPowles CreekReserveNo land access to either side of Powles Creek
Saint JoeFifer CreekReserveNo land access to either side of Fifer Creek to lake
SkilakGorilla CreekReserveNo access to Griffin Passage narrows south of Skilak reserve include Gorilla Creek
Pyne Creek Cultural/Ecological AreaNo access to Pyne Creek at the head of Bay of Plenty
Green Lagoon Cultural/Ecological AreaNo access to Green Lagoon north of the Green Inlet narrows
Steep Creek Cultural/Ecological AreaNo land access to either side of Steep Creek to the lake
Korich Creek Cultural/Ecological AreaNo land access to either side of Korich Creek to Korich Lake.
Mussel InletLáiqCultural/Ecological AreaNo land access except dog walking area [map]
Marvin Islands Cultural/Ecological AreaNo land access to Marvin Islands in Kitasu Bay.

In addition to the Reserves and other Restricted Areas above, the Conservancies below have additional site-specific rules that visitors should be aware of before planning to visit these areas. More information is available at the links below.

Fiordland Conservancy

Khutze Conservancy

Kitasoo Spirit Bear Conservancy

When necessary, the Kitasoo Xai’xais will set catch limits, close specific areas of the Territory to harvesting, restrict the harvest of specific species, define community member only food fish areas, and issue food fish permits.

The following areas are closed to all commercial and recreational crab fishing to ensure First Nation Food Social and Ceremonial Access:

  • Khutze Inlet
  • Mussel Inlet
  • Kynoch Inlet
  • Griffin Passage
  • Bottleneck Inlet
  • Higgins Passage

Rockfish Conservation Areas

Recreational Fishing Closure

  • Gitdisdzu Lugyeks Marine Protected Area  Those waters in Kitasu Bay southeast of a line from 52°33’29.8″N 128°48’50.6″W [Wilby Point] to 52°35’34.5″N 128°45’17.8″W [Wingate Point].

Commercial Crab Closures

  • Higgins Passage:Those portions of Subareas 6-16 and 7-3 lying inside of a line that begins at 52°29.074586’N 128°45.836113’W [southwest Swindle Island], then southwest to 52°28.658625’N 128°47.783029’W, then south to 52°27.752182’N 128°47.957771’W, then east to 52°27.505255’N 128°45.896523’W [west Price Island], then following the northern shoreline of Price Island to 52°27.564212’N 128°37.583357’W, then 52°27.919086’N 128°36.925324’W then following the southern shoreline of Swindle Island to the beginning point. (First Nations FSC and Recreational Access Closure)
  • Kynoch Inlet:Subarea 7-11Those waters of Kynoch Inlet lying easterly of a line that begins at 52°46.109’N 128°07.820’W [Garvey Point] then to 52°45.582’N 128°06.788’W [Kynoch Point]. (First Nations FSC and Recreational Access Closure)
  • Mussel Inlet: Subarea 7-7
    Those portions of Mussel Inlet lying easterly of a line that begins at 52°54.608550’N 128°7.088569’W [Carse Point] then south to 52°53.891016’N 128°6.686082’W [east of David Bay]. (First Nations FSC and Recreational Access Closure)
  • Khutze Inlet:Subarea 6-23Those waters of Khutze Inlet lying easterly of a line that begins at 53°05.259’N 128°33.381’W [Asher Point] then to 53°04.041’N 128°33.051’W [Griffin Point].(First Nations FSC and Recreational Access Closure).
  • Subarea 7-6 [including Bottleneck]
    Those waters of Finlayson Channel inside a line that begins at 52°53.012’N 128°30.634’W [Sarah Head] then true east to 52°53.012’N 128°29.883’W [mainland] then following the shoreline to 52°49.124’N 128°23.499’W [Carter Point] then to 52°48.316’N 128°23.541’W [Fawn Point] then following the westerly shoreline of Roderick Island to 52°38.529’N 128°26.799’W [Roderick Island] then true west to 52°38.529’N 128°30.330’W [Pering Point] then northerly following the shoreline to the beginning point (First Nations and Recreational Access Closure)
  • Subarea 7-10 [including James Bay]
    Those waters of Mathieson Channel and adjacent waters inside a line that begins at 52°46.109’N 128°09.358’W [Pooley Island] then true east to 52°46.109’N 128°07.820’W [Garvey Point] then to 52°45.582’N 128°06.788’W [Kynoch Point] then southerly following the shoreline to 52°34.310’N 128°14.752’W [Hird Point] then to 52°35.229’N 128°17.203’W [Charles Head] then northerly following the shoreline to the beginning point (First Nations and Recreational Access Closure)

Wilderness camping is allowed year-round at the recommended camp sites throughout the territory (see map). No facilities are provided and there is no fee. Kitasoo Xai’xais Indian Reserves and Restricted Access ares are restricted. Visitors need to be self-sufficient and prepared. Please ensure you read this brochure before camping in Kitasoo Xai’xais Territory.

Exploring Kitasoo Xai’xais territory by kayak is only recommended for experienced paddlers.

A tour of the Klemtu bighouse can be arranged that with our office by phone (250-839-1096) or email (admin@kxsa.ca). The fee is $20/guest (payable to the Stewardship Office in Klemtu by cheque or cash) and gratuities are accepted by local guides.

Drone use in Kitasoo Xai’xais territory is not permitted in the Territory without prior written permission from Kitasoo Xai’xais stewardship office.

To apply for permission for drone use, please complete an application form here and submit to: engagement@kxsa.ca

The entire territory is habitat for wildlife. If you are planning to visit the territory beyond the village of Klemtu, come informed and prepared to keep yourself, your pets, and any wildlife you might encounter safe.

Learn How to Pronounce "Xai'xais"

In the 1860s, our two distinct nations came together in Klemtu: the Kitasoo Nation of the islands and the Xai’xais Nation of the mainland. In addition to coming from different geographies, the Kitasoo and the Xai’xais didn’t speak the same language prior to the introduction of English. The Kitasoo are the southernmost group of the Tsimshianic language family and speak Sgüüxs (a southern dialect). The Xai’xais are part of the Wakashan language family and speak Xai’xais.