– Destination Tourism Branding + Marketing

”With his extraordinary dedication, vision and respect for our culture he was able to involve our Chiefs, elders and general community to articulate our unique story and make us relevant to the global tourism market. Today, we continue to engage with Rolf as we see him as an integral member of our wider community.”
— Douglas Neasloss. Chief Counsellor, Kitasoo and Xai’xais

challenge

• Located in British Columbia, Canada, the town of Klemtu in The Great Bear Rainforest (the largest intact temperate rainforest in the Northern hemisphere) and home of the Kitasoo and Xai’xais people, were looking to diversify the communities economic operations
• Tourism was seen as a potential avenue to generate jobs, and community engagement and stewardship of their ancestral territory
• However, the tourism industry, and consumers in general, were unaware of the great physical, cultural and experiential wonders of the Great Bear Rainforest

objective

• Define a unique brand positioning speaking to the destinations strengths in order develop the destinations visual language and messaging to the outside world to attract visitation

result

• Branding and storytelling conduit for driving investment and economic development
• Today fastest growing First Nation community per capita in Canada with the Lowest unemployment rate of any first Nations community
• Branding & storytelling the inspiration for Ferry terminal development
• Joint effort between BC Ferry Services, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and the branding and vision by the Kitasoo/Xai’xais First Nation
• 2011/12 BC Premiers Award (Klemtu Ferry Terminal)
• In 2016 Great Bear Rainforest became the largest expanse of protected coastal forest in the Northern Hemisphere


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Spirit Bear

The Raven within the logo is symbolic of the transformational journey the community is taking. The Spirit bear brand works as an inspirational catalyst to honour, value and assist in the reawakening of their unique identity and culture.


Tracing the skyline of our mountain ranges our designs are textured by graphic evocations of the designs found on the House of Chief Brown.

Tracing the skyline of our mountain ranges our designs are textured by graphic evocations of the designs found on the House of Chief Brown.


You will find subtle evocations of the Raven, the Eagle, the hand and various ovoid shapes which lend a rich authentic Coastal First Nations texture – all inspired by our own House of Chief Brown from 1886.

You will find subtle evocations of the Raven, the Eagle, the hand and various ovoid shapes which lend a rich authentic Coastal First Nations texture – all inspired by our own House of Chief Brown from 1886.


– Infrastructure Branding & Storytelling Development

”Klemtu is the location of one of the most unique and striking ferry terminals in Canada. Rolf worked with the community to envision, inspire and identify the key elements. His template was used to brief and guide the architects and engineers. The branding and storytelling components was a critical element in securing support from BC Ferries, the Federal, Provincial authorities to create a lasting legacy project. In 2012 the Klemtu Ferry Terminal was awarded the BC Premiers Award.”
— Larry Greba. Director, The Kitasoo Development Corporation (KDC)


A seven minute film documenting the rare white Spirit Bear of BC's Great Bear Rainforest. The Kitasoo Xai'xais First Nation in partnership with environmental groups and the BC Government created the world's only Kitasoo Spirit Bear Conservancy.