Zayas Island

Zayas Island (French: île Zayas) is an island on the North Coast of British Columbia, Canada, located in the east side of Dixon Entrance to the west of Dundas Island.[1] Three parcels of land on the north, east and south shores of the island are reserves of the Lax Kw'alaams First Nation.[2][3]

History

Captain Frederick C. Learmonth of HMS Egeria, who surveyed the island in 1908, named three points (Jacinto Point, Caamaño Point, and Aranzazu Point) after the Spanish explorer who discovered this island, Jacinto Caamaño, and his recorded journey.[4]

Etymology

The island is named after the second pilot of Jacinto Caamaño, Juan Zayas, during the 1792 voyage of the Pacific Northwest led by the Spanish Empire.

References

1. "Zayas Island". BC Geographical Names. Relative Location: W of Dundas Island at E end of Dixon Entrance, NW of Prince Rupert, Range 5 Coast Land District
2. "Zayas Island 32A". BC Geographical Names. Feature Type: Indian Reserve-Réserve indienne - Tract of land set apart for the use and benefit of a particular Indian band.
3. Pacific NorthWest LNG (February 2014). "Section 27: Aboriginal Rights and Related Interests" (PDF). Environmental Impact Statement and Environmental Assessment Certificate Application (Report). p. 27-13.
4. Walbran, John T. (1909). British Columbia coast names, 1592-1906, to which are added a few names in adjacent United States territory ; their origin and history, with map and illustrations. Ottawa: Government Printing Bureau. Pg. 537: On making a survey of Zayas island in 1908, Captain Learmonth, of H.M.S. Egeria, named three points on the island, Jacinto, Caamano, and Aranzazu, after Lieut. Commander Caamano and his vessel.

54°36′N 131°3′W