Tidal Passages: A History of the Discovery Islands.

Ann Turner is Financial and Budget Manager at the University of British
Columbia Library.

The Discovery Islands are a closely packed archipelago located between Vancouver Island and the B.C. mainland that stretch from the Campbell River north to Johnstone Strait. They have been occupied by First Nations people for millennia, and by hardy non-Native settlers seeking alternative lifestyles since the mid 19th century. The author developed her interest in the islands' history while she was on the curatorial staff of the Museum at Campbell River. She has drawn on that collection of taped interviews, diaries, and newspaper articles, as well as those of other museums nearby and the B.C. Archives, to supplement the reminiscences and family histories she collected while visiting the islands and interviewing the current residents. Quoting liberally from these sources, she has produced a vivid picture of life on the islands from the earliest days up to around the 1940s, and the sense of community that developed in the small settlements as the islanders coped with the difficulties of isolation as best they could. Many historical and family photographs illustrate the text, showing the early residents, their homes and activities. The histories of the islands and their associated waterways are grouped into six chapters: Read Island; Cortes, Marina, Hernando, Twin, Subtle, and Mitlenatch Islands; Desolation Sound, the Redonda Islands, and Toba Inlet; Sonora and Maurelle Islands, Okisollo Channel; Bute Inlet, Stuart Island, and Church House; and The Thurlow Islands and Hardwicke Island. Quadra Island, probably the best-known of the Discovery Islands, is not covered in this book because its history is the subject of a forthcoming companion volume.