The threat of tsunamis around the Pacific Rim’s Ring of Fire has led communities like Tofino to establish detailed emergency response plans, including sirens near beaches to warn of potential threats. Signs identify hazard zones and evacuation routes to follow in the event of a tsunami alert. Ian Kennedy photo

Wheelbarrow race at Clayoquot Days on Stubbs Island, early 1930s. People travelled from all over Clayoquot Sound to participate in this May 24 event, the largest, most important gathering of the year. Sporting events of all kinds, boat races, and a community picnic drew hundreds of people: aboriginals, Japanese, and European settlers alike. The growing town of Tofino can be seen in the background, also Bill Bond’s pile driver. Monks collection, courtesy of Lois Warner

Established in the 1880s, Indian Reserves represent less than 0.5 percent of the total territory of Clayoquot Sound.

Clayoquot School on Stubbs Island, around 1930. Built in 1924 for the Japanese community there, the school closed in 1942, when all Japanese were evacuated from the West Coast. The younger children in this picture were likely born on Stubbs Island, where some eight to ten families lived, including the Igarachis. Mrs. Igarachi acted as nurse, doctor, and midwife for many people in the Tofino area. Image 2001.5.76 courtesy of the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, Toronto

Aircrew of No. 147 Bomber Reconnaissance Squadron pose in front of one of their Bolingbroke Bombers at the Tofino RCAF Station in 1944. Image PA162822 courtesy of Library and Archives Canada

The arrival of shoals of herring to spawn into Clayoquot Sound each spring started the seasonal cycle of food harvesting. The Nuu-chah-nulth anchored hemlock boughs in the bays and inlets during a herring spawn. When heavily coated with herring roe, the boughs were collected and dried on racks, for use in the winter. Mount Angel Abbey Library

In December 1864 the Illustrated London News contained this engraving of the attacks by Royal Navy vessels on the Ahousaht. Two gunships shelled nine villages, killed fifteen men and destroyed sixty-nine canoes. The men seen rowing ashore here would set fire to the remains of this village. The two vessels on the right are firing rockets. The Hale rocket was a standard British naval armament during the Victorian era. Image PDP00084 courtesy of Royal BC Museum, BC Archives