Well, here's how we
started out all those years ago.

Recently, we revised our labels to reflect the heritage and spirit of the Gulf Islands. And those who helped — and continue to help — build vibrant, caring communities throughout the islands.

Our first series of labels (see below) honour the pioneers of Salt Spring Island. Over the coming months and years, we will be launching a series of labels that highlight island artisans, musicians and island people.

If you have an idea for a label, please send it along.

 

Pioneer: William Naukana
Born in the Sandwich Islands in Hawaii in 1813, William Naukana was believed to be of royal Hawaiian lineage. He arrived on Salt Spring Island in 1875 after a few twist and turns along BC's wild west coast. He came originally to work for the Hudson's Bay Company at Fort Vancouver but — perhaps missing the "island" life — moved his family to Portland Island. His children appreciated the exercise as they had to row every day to school at Beaver Point on Salt Spring. The sons and daughters of this pioneer, the Harrises and Rolands, still live here today.

 

Pioneer: Jesse Bond
Jesse Bond is shown here with a head of "Bond grade" lettuce (circa 1958) on his Bon Acres Farm, still being run today by his son Malcolm and his wife Stephanie. Mr Bond was widely known as one of Salt Spring's leading farmers — quite the accomplishment from his more humble beginnings as a member of Mr. Bullock's household staff. You can find more pictures of Mr. Bond on the Salt Spring Island Archive Web site.

 
Pioneeers: Bob Akerman, Fred Morris and Jim Akerman
The Akerman family are true pioneers of Salt Spring, beginning with Joe and Martha, who settled in the Burgoyne Valley in 1866 and opened the first Inn on the island, called Travelers' Rest. On the other side of Bob and Jim's family is the Gyves clan, and Bob recounts how he spent much of his youth in the care of his maternal grandmother, who was Aboriginal. In 2005, at the age of 93, Bob opened the Akerman Family Museum, to honour his grandmother and the life she led. You can see artifacts from the museum here. In the photo included at left, the Akerman boys and Fred Morris pose in baseball uniforms, circa 1930 (photo courtesy Bob Akerman).