Anna with her book about Anna and mom Normaline

Peacefulness settles in on arrival at the Klahoose First Nation offices overlooking Squirrel Cove on Cortes Island.

It may have something to do with the place, looking east over West Redonda Island to Desolation Sound and the mountains on the Mainland, or it could be the wonderful building itself – from the coffee area to the celebration hall, from the fitness room to the chief ’s office.

But more likely, of course, it’s the people who work around the community that makes Klahoose a special journey’s end… a place called home.

There’s Caroline Francis at the front desk, always helpful, passing along a book about Anna to an eight-year-old with the same name.

Eight-year-old Anna reluctantly posed for a photo with her mother Normaline Louie who returned home to Klahoose last year.

Kevin Peacey and Billy Barnes at a house site

Kerry Francis, the administrator, makes everyone feel at home with a plate of great grilled cheese sandwiches for anyone who happens along. Down the hall there’s Tina Wesley, the fisheries officer, who talks about coming home and her wonderful childhood in Toba Inlet.

At the other end of the building, Jessie Louie talks about the long roads travelled before she came home. Councillors Billy Barnes and Kevin Peacey offer a whirlwind tour of the T’oq reserve, showing the concrete pads awaiting five manufactured homes that arrive at the end of March – places to live for others coming home.

Anita Noble and her candle molds

Down at the old band office, Anita Noble is coming to grips with her new job, managing the new Candle Creations of Klahoose business when she’s not working as the medical travel assistant. She came home from Manitoba in 2012, having left Klahoose when she was 16.

She has plenty of plans for the business, from getting everyone involved in community candle-making to building up retail sales while creating employment. “It will bring people together.… Give me time,” she smiles “and it’s going to be good.”

Ray Noble takes aim

Just up the hill, at Anita’s house, partner Dave and her brother Ray Noble, struggle for a couple of days, getting the satellite dish properly aimed. “Line it up with that tree with ears,” he says. And later Ray, a former chief, talks about The Tree, the one with the carved face that was found in Toba a couple of years ago. It was a marker on the old Grease Trail into Tsilhqot’in (Chilcotin) territory. Then he aims the satellite dish at a different trail.

Chief James Delorme at the map

Back to the offices where Chief James Delorme shows off a concept map of planned subdivisions, sewage and water plants and recreation facilities.

But on this day he’s almost more proud of the Geordie Howe memorabilia just received from a friend. Later, on a rainy walk down to Squirrel Cove itself, he talks about the opportunities around the soon-to-come marina and natural resort.

And he hints at other big things on the horizon. More hints come the next morning with the arrival VIPs in a yellow helicopter.