Spirit Bear Village · Butedale Bay
On the northeast shore of Princess Royal Island, where Butedale Falls cascades from a 1,600-acre mountain lake into the Pacific, a century-old cannery village is being reimagined — 122 acres of heritage, hydroelectric power, and deep-water access at the doorstep of the world's largest intact temperate rainforest.
The Concept
Princess Royal Island is home to the world's largest concentration of the Kermode bear — the legendary white Spirit Bear, a genetic variant found almost nowhere else on Earth. Every decision here is made with the understanding that these bears, and the ancient rainforest they inhabit, are the primary residents.
The Butedale Cannery, founded in 1911, is listed on Canada's Register of Historic Places. The remaining structures — bunkhouse, cookhouse, powerhouse with original Pelton wheels — anchor the village in a living industrial heritage that honors the workers, fishers, and First Nations families who built it.
A concrete dam, penstock, and licensed 1 MW hydroelectric capacity from Butedale Lake provide clean, renewable energy. Combined with undersea fibre-optic connectivity, deep-water marine access, and Transport Canada permits, the site is uniquely positioned for self-sufficient coastal development.
Partner With Us
Spirit Bear Village is seeking partners who understand that regeneration begins with listening to the land. If you are an investor, institution, or community organization aligned with heritage-led, ecologically governed coastal development, we want to hear from you.
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