Sointula, Finnish Heritage




Sunset at Sullivan Bay Marina

Queen Charlotte Strait, Numas Islands mid way

Port McNeill

 

We left Sullivan Bay, rounding Atkinson Island then turning south down Wells Passage and out across Queen Charlotte Strait, a four-hour motoring to Port McNeill on the north end of Vancouver Island.  The seas were flat calm across the Strait, an easy crossing to get supplies including groceries, water, diesel, and gas for the dinghy.  We found North Island Marina (formerly known as Port McNeill Fuel Dock and Marina) to be very busy; the docks were full so we anchored in the bay after getting supplies.  Although it was a brief stop, we were pleased to see our friend Bruce, owner of the marina, and reminisced about good times during our encounter three years ago.  

Finnish Fishing Village, Sointula

While anchored at Port McNeill, we took the dinghy over to Malcolm Island and visited the village of Sointula, homesteaded in the 1800’s by Finish pioneers.  A group of Finns wanted to create a society where property was communal and everyone would be equal and participate.  

Our ride into Sointula

 



Finnish looking Home

The community developed a foundry, a brickyard, sawmill, and blacksmith shop.  Their newspaper called AIKA (Times) was the first Finnish newspaper in Canada and encouraged immigrants to come to Sointula.  Unfortunately, the leadership proved to be more idealistic than practical; the assets were sold and the island was eventually returned to the Government of British Columbia.  

Garage with Finnish Influence 

The people who remained, purchased land and began a commercial fishing industry and logging businesses.  While riding through the village on our bicycles, we could find evidence of the Finnish influence in several structures and homes.  

Co-operative Store, Sointula

The focal point in town is the Sointua Co-operative Store which was formed in 1909 and is the oldest running cooperative in British Columbia.  

Bicycles with Potted Flowers, a common sight in Sointula

We also visited the Sointula Museum, where numerous photographs and artifacts from the period are displayed. 

Sointula Cemetary

We recognized many of the pioneer names we had seen at the cemetery located on the edge of town.