Kingcome Inlet, BC
Kingcome Inlet is an isolated fjord carved into the Coast Mountain Range of mainland BC by the glaciers of the last ice age. The Kwakwark’wakw First Nations have lived there for thousands of years. Currently just over 100 people live in the small community. Economic activities in the Kingcome Inlet area include commercial logging, fishing, and silviculture.
The Disaster
After more than 24 hours of torrential rains, on September 25, 2010 the community of Kingcome Inlet was inundated by flood water. The community is used to rising tides and water issues, but this was a different situation. The water rose higher than residents had ever seen and already elevated houses were flooded when up to four metres of water came into some parts of the community. Residents were evacuated by helicopter to nearby Alert Bay and only returned home a month later.
The government provided funds to assist in the raising of approximately 25 homes but did not provide assistance for refinishing the inside of the flooded homes. A recovery committee was put in place and they identified several homes that needed assistance from MDS. Many of these homes have already been worked on by small groups of MDS volunteers, allowing families to return home. However, there is still more work that needs to be done.
MDS Response
The community experienced much damage in the flood and youth will do flood clean up of yards, some home repair or rebuilding of community structures, and building of fish smoking sheds which were destroyed in the flood.
Youth will be housed in the school with participants sleeping in the gym, males on one side and females on the other side separated by a tarp. The school has a kitchen, dining room and washrooms. It does not have showers so those will have to taken in another building or in outdoor showers.
Photo Gallery
Many people from the Village were waiting at the dock to leave the village for spring break
The dock at the village.
Kingcome school had flood waters reaching the upper floor but was not damaged badly by the flood Villagers gathered at the school during the rising flood waters while awaiting air lift out by helicopter
Kingcome school.
Destruction path left over from the devastating flood in Kingcome. -photo by Phil Hood
Destruction path left from flood waters.
Careful-measuring-by-Bryce-and-Kristy-at-Joes-house
Careful measuring by Bryce and Kristy at Joe's house.
Greg-and-daughter-Sonya-drwalling-the-laundry-at-Les-house
Greg and daughter, Sonya, drywall the Laundry Room at Mr. Les' house.
Christine-and-Andrew-putting-down-laminate-floor-at-Pams-house
Christine and Andrew put down laminate flooring at the Youth Project in Kingcome Inlet, BC.
Joe-and-Darin-putting-down-laminate-in-Pams-house
Joe and Darin putting down laminate flooring at Mrs. Pam's house.
Making-rollkuchen-for-youth-conference-culture-day
Making rollkuchen for Youth Conference Culture Day.
hazel-singing-how-great-thou-art-in-Kwakwala
Hazel sings "How Great Thou Art" in her native Kwakwala. We all joined in, in English, for the chorus.
Jenna-Jordy-and-Daniel-painting-in-Ms-Annies-house
Jenna, Jordy and Daniel painting in Ms. Annie's house in Kingcome Inlet.
Les-Sue-and-Alexis-with-wall-hanging-given-at-house-dedication
Mr. Les, Mrs. Sue and daughter Alexis with the wall hanging given to them at their home dedication.
Project Reports
Weekly Report for Kingcome
With the third week’s group leaving Thursday evening, and the fourth group coming in on Friday evening, we as long-term staff took advantage of this one very brief “down” day! By Friday 7:00 pm a wonderful roast beef...[more]
Map/Directions
Project statistics
MDS
Gwa-Yee Village, Kingcome Inlet BC V0N 2B0
Phone: (250) 974-3047
Project Directors: Peter and Dorothy Regehr
Project Open: July 5, 2011
Volunteers to date: 54
Projects Started: 12
Projects Completed: 12
Project is Closed
