MASSET, BC., CANADA

"I go now to the wilderness to be a part of it; to accept my place in the world and its place in me; to grow into reality as a tree grows into the rain, to conform to the Earth as a stream conforms to the stones of its bed. To live. To aspire. To be..." -William Ashworth

airport puddle jumper

The Village of Masset is a small fishing village  on Graham Island.......way up  in Haida ,Gwaii 

 ( Islands of the People). The archipelago was originally named the Queen Charlotte Islands (after the wife of King George III), which was also one of the ships of British captain George Dixon.  in 1778. 

It was renamed Haida Gwaii on Dec 11, 2009. 

Dixon Strait is the entrance between Hadai Gwaii, north coast of British Columbia, and Prince of Wales and Dall Islands in Alaska. On a clear day, you can see Alaska coastline from Masset. The town was named "Masset", after a European officer named Masseta, who died on the island and was buried on an island ,where his ship was anchored at the time.

Masset is at Mile "O" of the Yellowhead Trail that stretches all the way east to Manitoba.

Feb 17, 2025 Canada recognized Haida Aboriginal title.

Chiix̲uujin / Chaaw K̲aawgaa “Big Tide (Low Water)” Haida Title Lands Agreement. 

Hadai Gwaii has been the home to the Hadai in the islands, going back over 13,000 years. Their population was in the tens of thousands, but after contact with explorers and settlers, measles, smallpox and typhoid , their numbers fell dramatically. Explorer Juan Perez, first discovered these islands around 1774. Fur traders were the first visitors, then missionaries and settlers.

In 1943 , Masset was a Naval Radio Station."Huff Duff" as it was known. 

1949-1957 it continued to monitor  and plot Soviet submarine  and other radio emitters.

Mile 0 Pub

In 1968 Canadian Forces  was present until 1997. A lot of base housing was left and you can buy one as a family home for about 250,00$ 

Masset is home to over 2000 people, Including Tow Hill and Old Masset.  Wild beaches, eagles, ancient forests.....This is the Beach access to Tow hill looking west.

"Dámaan agang hl kínggang." (Take good care of yourself.)

Tow Hill east. Naikoon canoe......Naikoon Provincial Park.

Naikoon Provincial park ( over 69,961 hectares) was established in 1973 in the traditional territory of Hadai Gwaii, with many places of historical and spiritual importance.

Tow Hill in the distance.

Masset Sound 38 saltwater inlet, connects to the open sea

Masset hosts small stores, like Home Hardware, Co-op grocery, pickleball, tennis courts, elementary and high school combined, and a new library being built in town.

Canada's first ever 10 meter steel Tsunami evacuation tower is  the first of its kind. Hadai Gwaii is in earthquake country, where the Pacific Tectonic and North American plate meet.

Events hall in Masset

"How are you?" ( English) “Sàn uu dáng Gíidang?” (“What is the state of your spirit?”). And in response, you can say “Díi ’láagang” (“My spirit has goodness”). 

Tow Hill beach looking North.....somewhere up there is Alaska and the Bering Sea!

Masset Pier. Deep sea charters . Or  cruise the Yakown, Chown, and Sangan Rivers........ salmon, trout, halibut, rock cod, snapper, Coho......

"I'll See you again"

 In Haida language: Asing dang hll King Gas ga. (Xaayda Kil) (From Skidgate Haida Immersion Program)

Photographs 2025. Maps from Public Domain.