North of Port Hardy at the confluence of the Burke Channel and Fitz Hugh Sound is an abandoned cannery called Namu, meaning place of high winds, or whirlwind. Established in 1893 as a fish-processing plant and cannery, a fire levelled the community in the 1960s. The cannery was subsequently rebuilt and operations continued until the late 1980s, when high transportation costs and low fish prices forced the plant to close. You can still see structures built on wharves over the water, interconnected by boardwalk. A short trail leads to nearby Namu Lake, which has long expanses of sandy beaches and good fishing. When European explorers arrived on this coast in the 18th century, it was inhabited by Natives from several cultural groups. Although hunters and gatherers like the tribes of the Interior, the coastal natives were able to establish permanent villages due to their abundant food supply. Their complex cultures were distinguished by an emphasis on wealth, a refined artistic tradition, and a rich spirit life. Travel along the coast was accomplished by dugout canoes that could be impressive in their length. Although there's nothing more inspiring than to see one of these massive canoes in action, they are only brought out for ceremonial occasions, such as a paddle trip to Vancouver or the Olympic Mountains in Washington Namu is located on the coast of central BC, north of Port Hardy, on Vancouver Island, at the confluence of the Burke Channel and Fitz Hugh Sound.