| Community of Skidegate | |
|---|---|
| — Indian Reserve — | |
| View of Skidegate from outside the Haida Heritage Center. | |
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | British Columbia |
| Region | Haida Gwaii |
| Regional district | Skeena-Queen Charlotte |
| Founded | 1850 |
| Government | |
| • Chief Councillor | Willard Wilson |
| Area | |
| • Total | 5.65 km2 (2.2 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 28 m (92 ft) |
| Population (2006)[1] | |
| • Total | 781 |
| • Density | 138.3/km2 (358.2/sq mi) |
| Time zone | PST (UTC-8) |
| Highways | 16 |
| Waterways | Hecate Strait |
Skidegate ( /ˈskɪdəɡət/) is a Haida community in Haida Gwaii (formerly the Queen Charlotte Islands) in British Columbia, Canada. It is located on the southeast coast of Graham Island, the largest island in the archipelago, and is approximately 50 kilometres (31 mi) west of mainland British Columbia across Hecate Strait. Skidegate is also the northern terminal for the BC Ferries service between Graham Island and Alliford Bay on Moresby Island.
Skidegate was so named in the early 19th century, after its chief, according to tradition. The community was a hub for the trade of otter furs.[2]