Quadra Island is a small island community off the eastern coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada and is part of the Discovery Islands. Its population is estimated to be roughly 3,500. There are two small business centres on the island, one near the Vancouver Island ferry terminal at Quathiaski Cove, and one near the Cortes Island ferry terminal at Heriot Bay. The island has many beaches, trails, lakes, and parks.
The island is named after the Spanish explorer Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra.
There is an elementary school on the island, but for grades 7 through 12 island children travel by ferry to Campbell River to attend École Phoenix Middle School or Carihi Secondary School.
The island is home to a thriving art community, as well as a growing number of white-collar professionals who commute to Campbell River, on Vancouver Island.
The Cape Mudge Reserve on the south tip of the island is the hereditary seat of the powerful chiefs of the Weewaikai, who are the leading group within the Southern Kwakiutl; their main other group, the Wewaykum, live in Campbell River just across the strait on Vancouver Island. Together they are known as the Laich-kwil-tach (historically known as the Euclataws or Yucultas, names which are more familiar to speakers of British Columbia English.
The Southern Kwakiutl migrated into the northern Georgia Strait from Queen Charlotte Strait over two centuries ago, displacing and absorbing the Comox and Pentlatch peoples who formerly lived there. The Cape Mudge Band, also known as the Laich-kwil-tach or Southern Kwakiutl, were in particular were widely renowned for their artwork and lavish potlatch-feasts.
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