homestead history
The countless islands off the coast of northeastern Vancouver Island each hold their own stories, written into the very forests and beaches we explore each summer.
With this in mind, we wanted to take a moment to honour Georganna Malloff, the land owner of Freshwater Bay on Swanson Island, along with those who came before her.
art inspired by the coast
Georganna was an iconic BC artist known for her mystical wood carvings, elaborate marble designs and mixed media artistry. Described as an enigma who carved her own path, she was a vibrant soul who settled on Swanson Island beginning in the 1960’s, where she built a cozy homestead and art studio.
Best known for her 12 Cosmic Maypoles erected at sites across North America, her Dreamwork of the Whales piece still stands tall at Little Norway Park on Bathurst Quay in Toronto.
Freshwater bay through the years
Freshwater Bay on Swanson Island is home to generations of history from those who came before us.
Originally an important village site for Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw people, it served as a key area along the Grease Trail trading route connecting the coast, with traces of obsidian from interior BC found on it’s shores.
From time immemorial to present day, the islands including and around Swanson have been home to Indigenous peoples from the Mamalilikulla, ‘Na̱mg̱is and Tlowitsis First Nations. Modern communities nearby include Village Island (Mamalilikulla), Alert Bay (‘Na̱mg̱is) and New Vancouver (Da’naxda’xw).
Billy Proctor spent most of his early life being raised in Freshwater Bay (Jae Proctor – 1940)
Georganna’s art studio and homestead in Freshwater Bay (George Dyson – 1978)
In the early 1930’s, Freshwater Bay became a bustling fish-buying hub run by the Proctor family for decades. Billy Proctor (pictured left) was a local legend known as the region’s youngest ever commerical fisherman: braving the unpredictable swirling currents of Blackney Passage to catch salmon in his rowboat at only 7 years old.
After growing up on the shores of Blackfish Sound, Billy eventually settled in Echo Bay, deep in the Broughton Archipelago, for the remainder of his life until his passing last year.
Following the Proctor family, Georganna went on to become Freshwater Bay’s last private land owner, cultivating a completely self-sustained homestead where she created art inspired by the natural world.
Georganna’s final visit to Swanson island
What began as a simple lease agreement in 2016 quickly evolved into a cherished friendship as Georganna continued to share her memories and love for Freshwater Bay with our owners Breanne Quesnel and Rick Snowdon.
After years of leasing her land to us, Georganna expressed a desire to return to her original homestead property one last time. So, in the spring of 2022, our crews got to work constructing a spacious and cozy geodome tent— specifically for Georganna and her nurse, friend of Spirit of the West Carrie, to stay for the week. Complete with an all-terrain wheelchair and all!
One of our guides, Kevin, took care of them during their stay; listening to her stories, reading poetry, playing guitar and soaking up the landscape together.
With one final visit complete, Georganna passed away peacefully later that year.
One of her final wishes was to ensure the land would continue to be enjoyed, loved and protected well after she was gone.
Create your own memories
Both our Whales & Wilderness Glamping site and Freshwater Bay expedition site are part of Georganna’s original property.
If you get the chance to walk the connecting trail between the two, keep your eye out for an otherworldly marble statue tucked into the trees and say a quiet hello.
Spirit of the West Adventures is honoured to steward the land in Freshwater Bay, carrying forward Georganna’s legacy for others to appreciate and enjoy.
We invite you to come experience the history for yourself.