Orientation for Kyuquot Elementary Secondary School Teaching Staff Kyuquot
			Kyuquot is located southeast of the Brooks Peninsula, on the outer coast of Vancouver Island. The settlement is comprised of Houpsitas First Nations Reserve, 1-kilometer-long Walter’s Island, and several smaller inhabited islands, all within about a kilometer of each other. Islands and hundreds of rock shoals to the ocean-ward side of Kyuquot shelter the settlement from large ocean swells. With a population of about 200, most are of two First Nations of Nuu-chah-nulth (once termed “Nootka”) people. The economy is based on Indian and Northern Affairs funding for the reserve, and employment which includes fish farming, logging, silviculture, commercial fishing, and seasonal sport fishing. The school is an important part of the community as it provides education, employment and community activities. A personal interest in exploring the outdoors and skill in kayak or powerboat travel would be an asset to new teachers. The freedom to move on the water makes living here a richer experience.

	Transportation Transportation of people and goods to and from Kyuquot: Access is by boat or air. The nearest road access is Fair Harbour, about a 40-minute boat ride up Tahsish Inlet from Kyuquot. Driving time from Fair Harbour to Port McNeil is about 1 1/2 hours; to Campbell River about three hours. A scheduled freight boat travels from Gold River to Kyuquot every Thursday (all day trip), to return the next day. The nearest float plane base is also Gold River; flights take about 35 minutes. The most practical form of regular transportation to and from Kyuquot is by way of Fair Harbour, which can be done in all but the worst weather.
	By Road drive north of Woss, on Island Highway turn left at junction for Zeballos (about 15 minutes north of Woss) Route A: Fair Harbour - benefits: open all year, more traffic, usually not as rough as the Artlish route, shorter boat ride by 10 minutes, not as subject to downed trees, road closures - drive 72 km to Fair Harbour on gravel road; about 90 minutes - this road passes close to Zeballos about half-way to Fair Harbourr - gas and limited grocery supplies are available at Woss and Zeballos - gas is available at Fair Harbour Route B Artlish River – benefits: shorter (less than an hour from pavement) and less trafficc - turn right at junction clearly signed as “Artlish Main” a little over 8 km from Island Highway - about 2 km past Atluck Lake, turn left and follow signage indicating “Artlish Main” - total of about 32 km from Island Highway to ocean, small parking lot/old logging landing site, rough dock - road sometimes a little rougher, not passable mid-winter with snow in the mountains -  subject to more closures, downed trees A note about vehicles: Although the Fair Harbour road is open most of the year, chains must be carried during the winter.  A low-riding vehicle is not recommended on this road due to its roughness; a “beater” vehicle (truck or car) is also not recommended, especially on the Artlish road where a break-down will mean a long wait or walk out.
	By Boat  Fair Harbour/Artlish to Kyuquot takes about 40 minutes (average power boat) in calm weather with water taxis mentioned below  insured water taxis operated by: - Archie Vincent @ $70 one way (boat for 3-4 passengers) 332-5237 - Leroy Jack @ $90 one way (boat for 4 passengers) 332-5301 - Leroy Jack @ $150 (boat for 12 passengers and kayaks) - price is per boatload, not per person, and may be subject to change - combining trips “out” for personal reasons with School District business (such as professional development   days, District meetings, etc.) is common and transportation is paid by the District or the VIWTU - dividing boat costs with other teachers also lessens your travel spending   From Gold River to Kyuquot:  - drive to Nootka Sound Services 13 km past Gold River - Phone:  283-2515 - Uchuck III freight boat departs from Gold River    Dock each Thursday morning and arrives in Kyuquot    late afternoon; cost is about $90 one way    (Note:  Freight is loaded in Gold River on Wednesday.) -  includes two hours rolling in open ocean swells Note: - Owning one’s own powerboat offers a greater sense of independence and can be cheaper in the long run    than relying on water taxis - Most travel to and from your car or truck is on “inside” waters but winter weather can make the ocean   rough even in these locations; a portion of the route includes a two km-wide crossing of water exposed to   the outer ocean. Boat operators should be experienced, carry a VHF radio, and carry Coast Guard   required equipment appropriate for size of boat.
			By Air From Gold River (closest float plane base) - drive to Air Nootka 13 km past Gold River 283-2255 - fly on the scheduled flights for approximately $140 one way,   about 35 minutes - sheduled flights occur Monday, Wednesday, and Friday   at midday to bring passengers and mail; or... - charter a plane for a lot more
	Transportation and movement within the environs of Kyuquot:
	By Water the School Board provides an open aluminum boat powered by a small outboard motor; use is restricted to the protected waters in the immediate vicinity of Kyuquot; gas is provided (see Board Policy B.27 for details) your own powerboat, kayak, or canoe can reach adjacent islands in reasonable weather  sheltered anchorage exists in the bays of many of these islands weather can change quickly especially during the winter
	By Land Roads: - a 1 km section between the School District property (school and teacherages) and Houpsitas Native Reserve - a 5 km section from the school to Clinninnick River - a 14 km section from the school to Chamiss Bay logging camp (and the deep-water dock to obtain goods from the   Uchuck (freight boat) - a 4 x 4 crew cab truck is provided for limited staff use for freight and firewood hauling    (see District Policy B.27 for details)   Trails: - a vague trail extends from the Village shore about 3 km to a lagoon west of Kyuquot - a teacher cleared a path about .3 km through the thickest of bush adjacent to the teacherage duplex - several trails exist on Walter’s Island (besides the boardwalk on the populated side) - these are about 1 km in length -  on Spring Island to access the south side - on the Brooks Peninsula to access outer beaches from an anchorage site   B  Beaches: - the biggest are at Rugged Point Provincial Marine Park, a 45 minute powerboat ride from Kyuquot, and on the Brooks    Peninsula, over an hour northwest across exposed waters -  smaller beaches exist on adjacent islands, the best being Spring Island, about 3 km away; this island has sheltered    anchorage and an old road across to the south side of the island - it also has many places for exploring, shoreline and in the bush Food and Drink  plastic totes are the best way to haul groceries and other items to keep them dry while loading and unloading boats. They are about $7 each at stores such as Zellers, Superstore or Overwaitea in Campbell River -  about six totes can hold three weeks worth of mixed fresh and dry-goods groceries -  the deep (2/3 m) totes are not recommended due to the weight for each carry - ˝ m or less ones are recommended   a store and post office on Walter’s Island sells a variety of fresh food, dairy products, and meat - Cost, especially for meat and dairy products, is higher than in larger communities (i.e. 4 L milk @ $8.75) but fresh   vegetables and fruit prices are more comparable to “outside” stores - Friday is the best day for fresh food shopping, as the freight boat has delivered the day before - An account can be set up so carrying cash is unnecessary (except for postage stamps)    several small stores exist on the Houpsitas Reserve, at private residences, and stock milk, pop, chips, and such   groceries can also be purchased by telephone from SuperValu in Gold River if an order is made by Wednesday morning - Store staff will deliver the groceries to the Uchuck III freight boat in time for its run to Kyuquot on Thursday - Costs: SuperValu charges $10 for delivery to the boat, Nootka Sound Services charges about $10 per 100 lb –    usually totalling $20 for the procedure - The school’s maintenance employee will pick up these groceries (along with school freight) at the Chamiss Bay dock for    delivery to your door.  Please cooperate by confirming your delivery arrangements with the maintenance employee    prior to pick-up.   Houpsitas Reserve is legally a “dry” community; open alcohol or selling of alcohol on the reserve is illegal. It is not illegal to transport alcohol through the reserve; School District property is not “dry”. Discretion is recommended to be sensitive to the community. Housing Teacherages all sit on school property and have varied monthly rates ·        2 single-wide trailers (mobile home) @ $455 - nearest to school, along the road ·        1 double-wide trailer for $555 (family has priority) - best view, newest (best condition), largest living space, most privacy ·        2 single family houses @ $555 (family has priority) ·        1 duplex for $455 each side - best view, newest (best condition), largest living space, most privacy ·        propane costs are about $92 per 100 lb bottle - freight cost for empty tank out and full tank in is about $30 ·        oil furnaces with wood stoves as back-up exist in all teacherages except the two duplex suites ($400 each) - the truck may be available for firewood hauling (see Board Policy B.27 for details); a small chainsaw is also provided ·        duplex suites are heated by propane ·        no utilities bill is issued; power is generated by a 24-hr diesel generator located at the school ·        Star Choice satellite TV is available at cost to tenant ·        High speed internet at $50.00/month ·        electricity is included in rent ·        oil and propane are the responsibility of the tenant ·        tenants have representation on the Joint Rental Accommodations Committee