December, 18, 2009, Klemtu, BC - What does a hip, snowboarding seabear mascot have to do with British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest and the world’s only Kitasoo Spirit Bear Conservancy? Miga’s family tree- with Orca whales on one side and British Columbia’s rare white Spirit Bear on the other- links back to the Great Bear Rainforest, the only region in the world where the white sub-species of the black bear is found.

The snowboarding seabear was inspired by the legends of the coastal First Nations, such as the Kitasoo/Xai’xais whose traditional territory includes the Great Bear Rainforest along the remote central coast of British Columbia.

According to First Nations’ legend the seabears were orca whales that transformed into Spirit Bears when they arrived on land. Legends also explain that the Spirit Bears were turned white by Raven to remind people of the Ice Age.

Visitors to the Great Bear Rainforest, the largest intact temperate rainforest in the world and home of the world’s only Kitasoo Spirit Bear Conservancy, can spend time with Spirit Bear Adventure’s lead guide Doug Neasloss learning about this legend, while exploring the fjords, coastlines, and rivers in search of the rare white Spirit Bears. Neasloss (with his traditional Kitasoo name of Muq Vas Glaw which translates to Spirit Bear), is an award winning eco-cultural guide and cultural curator of Spirit Bear Adventures based in the remote village of Klemtu, BC.

Recognised as a leading authority on Spirit Bears internationally, Neasloss is passionate about the work he does. “It is very exciting for us that the Spirit Bears are being brought to Vancouver through this legend, as this is the only place in the world the white Spirit Bear is found,” says Neasloss. “The more people that are introduced to these incredibly special bears the better. Education about the Spirit Bear’s valuable role in the ecosystem is very important for humanities understanding of our global ecological inheritance.”

First Nations owned and operated Spirit Bear Adventures offers four and seven day eco-cultural Spirit Bear tours in the ancestral lands and traditional territory of the Kitasoo Xai’xais First Nation. Once guests arrive to Klemtu via daily floatplane service from Vancouver or weekly BC Ferry service, a typical Spirit Bear tour day begins with a ride in a 10 passenger, enclosed cabin motorboat, which takes guests deep into inlets and fjords. After an hour or so of traveling, guests disembark to search for an encounter with the Spirit Bear and other abundant wildlife.

Cultural experiences include visits to some of the over 100 documented ancient cultural sites including the remains of traditional long houses, totem poles, traditional camp sites, ancient pictographs and many other culturally significant artifacts unique to this part of the world. At the Big House visitors are entertained with traditional dances and with stories and legends from the past. Guests stay in the new $1.5 million Spirit Bear Lodge and have the opportunity to sample traditional foods such as smoked salmon, oolichan oil and dried seaweed.

The village of Klemtu and its cultural guides welcome the world to one of the most unique eco-cultural experiences that Canada has to offer. And with the celebrations only two months away, the Spirit Bear-inspired snowboarder is getting prepared to welcome guests from around the world as well.

For more information visit: www.spiritbear.com or call 778-644-2346 for further information.

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Media contacts:

Melinda Jolley

The Tartan Group

250-592-3838

Melinda@tartangroup.ca

Kate Rogers

The Tartan Group

604-682-8811

Kate@tartangroup.ca