The Eagle
(Kwakiutl, Nootka, Salish)
Vancouver Island, first occupied for Britain by Captain James Cook in 1778, became a centre for the fur trade. Named after Captain George Vancouver, the Crown Colony of Vancouver’s Island was established in 1849 to buttress British sovereignty on the West Coast.
In 1856 representative government was instituted and a Legislative Assembly elected. It was united with the mainland colony of British Columbia in 1866.

The Eagle (2023 version)
British Columbia is home to both the golden eagle and the bald eagle, which is Canada’s largest bird of prey. The eagle is an important animal in many Indigenous cultures and is admired for its power, grace, and intelligence.

The Raven
(Haida Indians)
The Queen Charlotte Islands had been visited by the Spanish, French and British, but were not named until the ship “Charlotte” charted them in 1785-1787. Queen Charlotte was the consort of George III.
No settlement ensued until rumours of the discovery of gold and possible American occupation led to the appointment of a Lieutentant-Governor (Sir James Douglas) in 1852. This dependency became a part of the mainland Crown Colony of British Columbia in 1858.

The Raven (2023 version)
The raven is a large and intelligent songbird that lives in most areas of British Columbia. It has a wingspan of 115 to 150 cm and can live for up to 21 years in the wild. The raven plays an important role in the art, traditions, and origin narratives of many Indigenous peoples.

The Wolf
(Tahltan Tlingit)
Following the rush to the Fraser River in 1858, the miners pushed northwards to the Nass, Stikeen and Peace Rivers. To provide for government of the region the territory of Stikeen was created in 1862. It survived only one year, when a redefinition of the boundaries of British Columbia made it a part of the mainland colony.

The Wolf (2023 version)
Wolves are a keystone species that play a vital role in the well-being of their environment. Many Indigenous peoples recognize wolves for their strong family ties, intelligence, and hunting ability.

The Bear
(Interior Indians)
Gold on the Fraser and Thompson Rivers brought thousands of miners to the mainland. In 1858, to ensure British sovereignty, the Crown Colony of British Columbia was created and formally proclaimed at Fort Langley on November 19th. Its boundaries were progressively enlarged until by 1866 all British territory west of the Rocky Mountains was united under the name British Columbia.
In 1871 this Colony joined the Canadian Federation as its sixth province.

The Bear (2023 version)
Black bears and grizzly bears are large omnivorous mammals that are common to many areas of British Columbia. Their size, strength, and important role in coastal ecosystems is reflected in the traditional ceremonies and artwork of many Indigenous peoples.