Mist covers the Broughton Islands , in a magical start to the day .
Kim Brown Seely takes notes while looking for Spirit Bears . Below , Gitga ’ at First Nation wildlife guide Marven Robinson .
marven robinson photo steve kazemir photo lier from our home near Seattle , about 500 nautical miles south . Our only goal ? To point ourselves north toward the white bear and these two remote islands in hopes of glimpsing something rare and beautiful . We also hoped to learn more from Marven , sometimes called the “ spirit bear whisperer ,” about the rich history and culture of the Gitga ’ at people . The Gitga ’ at , who live in the close-knit fishing village of Hartley Bay , a boat ride away , are one of 14 bands that make up the Tshimshian people of B . C .’ s northwest coast . They ’ ve lived steve kazemir photo alongside these bears , an important symbol in Gitga ’ at culture – keeping their exact location secret to protect them – for thousands of years .
Marven dropped us off on the shore of Princess Royal with a handheld radio and a canister of bear spray .
“ Ever use one of these ?” he asked , handing over the spray as we scrambled out onto the mudflats . He raked the bristly hair atop his head . Marven was in his mid-forties , with a handsome face , a direct gaze , a thatch of black hair . “ Only use it if the bear is five feet or less from you , and if his ears are back ,” he said , then shrugged in a fatalistic way . “ If his ears are forward , he ’ s just checking you out .” kenmoreair . com
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