Newcastle Island Marine Park

The island is also a source of traditional natural medicines and has always been associated with physical and spiritual healing. When someone passed away in the community, the loved ones would go to Saysutshun to yu’thuy’thut – to fix up their heart, mind and body and let go of their tears.Many changes have come to the island over the past hundred years. In the mid-1800’s, the coal mining industry began operating here and the Coast Salish buildings were abandoned. The island has since been home to a fish salting plant, a shipyard, a sandstone quarry, and a leisure retreat for the wealthy. Now it is run as a protected marine park and event destination by the Snuneymuxw people. A walk around the island truly takes you back through time; you can find hidden treasures of all the island’s past incarnations if you only take the time to look.