Haida Gwaii welcomes the Olympic flame

Haida Gwaii got a taste of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics on Tuesday as the torch relay made its way to the Islands for a variety of celebratory events.

After touching down in Sandspit, the flame was taken by ferry to Skidegate where it was transferred into a canoe carved by renowned Haida artist Bill Reid. The torch was then paddled to the beach in front of the Haida Heritage Centre at Kaay Llnagaay, where a food-burning ceremony had earlier taken place, and was brought to shore by Percy Williams to the cheers of the many who lined the shore. Williams, wearing regalia over the torch-bearer uniform, took part in a transformation ceremony and came out wearing just the official uniform.

After other torchbearers carried the flame into the village, it was Alan Moore who brought it to the Queen Charlotte Spirit Square and lit the cauldron to begin the community celebration in the Village of Queen Charlotte, a celebration that included Olympic mascots Quatchi and Miga and was attended by hundreds of people from around Haida Gwaii.

"It was a big surprise and a real honour...It was a huge honour to do this in front of my hometown and the community," said Moore, who was born and raised in Queen Charlotte.

"It was a surreal moment. It's beyond words."

The morning celebration ended at 10:30 and, while those in attendance made their way to the community hall for a celebratory lunch, the flame carried on its way destined for Whitehorse.