The Haida Nation has purchased one of British Columbia's most renowned luxury fishing resorts, the Queen Charlotte Lodge, a 20-acre property located on the site of a former whaling station at Naden Harbour in Haida Gwaii. The sale, announced this week by owner Paul Clough, transfers ownership of the lodge and its equipment to the Council of the Haida Nation. Financial terms, including the sale price, have not been disclosed, and the transaction is expected to close in late 2027.
Significance of the Acquisition
Jason Alsop, president of the Haida Nation council, also known as Gaagwiis, emphasized the cultural importance of the location. “Néedan Gawée Naden Harbour has always been a significant place for the Haida Nation,” Alsop said in a joint statement. “We are excited for the future opportunities this agreement unlocks for the Haida Nation based on the engagement with Haida citizens.” The acquisition allows the Haida to reconnect with Naden Harbour, an eight-mile-long inlet on the north coast of Graham Island, the largest in Haida Gwaii.
Owner's Perspective
Paul Clough, who has operated the Queen Charlotte Lodge since 2000, described the decision as thoughtful and deeply considered. “This has been a thoughtful and deeply considered decision, one that did not come easily,” Clough wrote in a letter to staff earlier this week. He noted that the lodge has worked with the council in a “mutually respectful way” to transition the property to the Haida people. Clough added that the lodge has been a “proud member of the Haida Gwaii community for more than 30 years and we will always hold Haida Gwaii and its people close to our hearts.”
Lodge Operations and History
The Queen Charlotte Lodge operates seasonally from May to September and is accessible only by boat and air. Most guests arrive via chartered aircraft from Vancouver to Masset, followed by a helicopter transfer to the property. Accommodation rates range from $4,700 to $8,500 for three- or four-night packages, which include self-guided fishing and a boat. Guided fishing is available at an additional cost of $1,650 to $4,750 per boat for three or four days.
Haida culture has been integral to the lodge since its early days. The previous owner, who acquired the site in 1990, consulted with the Haida and local community before construction. Upon opening, the lodge received the Haida name Ta Ja’uus Na Ka Ganaas, meaning “A Place To Weather The Storm,” bestowed by a Haida Elder during a ceremony featuring traditional drumming, dancing, eagle-down scattering, and a Haida feast.
Future Implications
The sale marks a significant step in Indigenous economic development and cultural reconnection in Haida Gwaii. The Haida Nation's ownership of the lodge is expected to create new opportunities for Haida citizens and strengthen ties to the land and waters of Naden Harbour. Neither the lodge owners nor the Haida Nation returned calls from Postmedia for further comment on Friday.
