Gribbell Island facts for kids

Gribbell Island is a special island located off the coast of British Columbia, Canada. It's found on the east side of the entrance to a waterway called Douglas Channel, near Wright Sound. This island is famous for being a home to a very unique animal: the rare white Kermode bear.

Why Gribbell Island Has Its Name

Gribbell Island was named in 1867 by Captain Daniel Pender. He was a Royal Navy officer. Captain Pender named the island after his brother-in-law, the Reverend Francis Barrow Gribbell. Reverend Gribbell was a clergyman from the Church of England.

Reverend Gribbell lived in Victoria, British Columbia, for several years. He worked as a church leader and even as a school principal. He later returned to England. His name lives on through this beautiful island.

Home of the White Bear

Gribbell Island is often called the "Mother Island of the White Bear." This special name was given to it by the Valhalla Wilderness Society. The "white bear" they are talking about is the incredible Kermode bear.

The Kermode bear is a very rare type of American black bear. What makes it so special is its fur. Some Kermode bears have white or cream-colored fur. This is not because they are albinos. It's due to a unique genetic trait.

These beautiful white bears are also known as "spirit bears." They are very important to the local First Nations people. They are a symbol of the wild and the unique nature of this part of British Columbia.

Island Features and Geography

On the west side of Gribbell Island, you'll find the Gribble Island Indian Reserve No. 10. This area is located between two waterways called Verney Passage and Ursula Channel.

The island also has a small mountain range. It's called the Wimbledon Range. This range is on the south side of the island. It faces Princess Royal Island to the south.