MV Island G̲wawis

{{Infobox ship

{{Infobox ship

|section1={{Infobox ship/image

|section1={{Infobox ship/image

| image_caption = ''Island Gwawis'' in Nanaimo Harbour

| image_caption = ''Island G̲wawis'' in Nanaimo Harbour

| image = BC Ferries Island Gwawis (02).jpg

| image = BC Ferries Island Gwawis (02).jpg

}}

}}

| country = Canada

| country = Canada

| flag = {{flagicon|Canada}}

| flag = {{flagicon|Canada}}

| name = ''Island Gwawis''

| name = ''Island G̲wawis''

| namesake =

| namesake =

| owner = [[BC Ferries]]

| owner = [[BC Ferries]]

}}

}}

'''MV ''Island Gwawis''''' is the sixth [[ferry]] in the {{sclass2|Island|ferry|4}}, owned and operated by [[BC Ferries]]. Built by [[Damen Shipyards]] in 2021, this vessel is part of the second phase of Island-class vessels. ''Island Gwawis'' was launched as ''Island 6'' on April 22, 2021, left [[Galați]], [[Romania]], on October 13, 2021, and arrived at Point Hope Shipyard, [[Victoria, British Columbia]] on December 23, 2021.{{Cite web | url=https://www.bcferries.com/news-releases/bc-ferries-sixth-island-class-ferry-expected-arrive-tomorrow | title=News Release | BC Ferries' Sixth Island Class Ferry Expected to Arrive Tomorrow }} On January 11, 2022, ''Island 6'' was christened and renamed ''Island Gwawis'' by BC Ferries Director of Fleet Operations and Strategy, and First People's Cultural Council Special Advisor Cathi Charles Wherry. "Gwawis" means "raven of the sea" in the [[Kwakwaka'wakw]] indigenous language.

'''MV ''Island G̲wawis''''' is the sixth [[ferry]] in the {{sclass2|Island|ferry|4}}, owned and operated by [[BC Ferries]]. Built by [[Damen Shipyards]] in 2021, this vessel is part of the second phase of Island-class vessels. ''Island G̲wawis'' was launched as ''Island 6'' on April 22, 2021, left [[Galați]], [[Romania]], on October 13, 2021, and arrived at Point Hope Shipyard, [[Victoria, British Columbia]] on December 23, 2021.{{Cite web | url=https://www.bcferries.com/news-releases/bc-ferries-sixth-island-class-ferry-expected-arrive-tomorrow | title=News Release | BC Ferries' Sixth Island Class Ferry Expected to Arrive Tomorrow }} On January 11, 2022, ''Island 6'' was christened and renamed ''Island G̲wawis'' by BC Ferries Director of Fleet Operations and Strategy, and First People's Cultural Council Special Advisor Cathi Charles Wherry. "G̲wawis" means "raven of the sea" in the [[Kwakwaka'wakw]] indigenous language.

== Naming controversy ==

== Naming controversy ==

The name ''Island Gwawis'' received backlash from [[Snuneymuxw First Nation]]. On the day after the name was released, Chief Mike Wyse issued a statement saying that he was "saddened and frustrated" that the ferry company "decided to choose a racist and discriminatory path riddled with colonial acts that is woefully inflammatory and offensive to building a relationship between" them and BC Ferries. The indigenous group believed that the vessel should have been named in the Snuneymuxw language, as the ferry would be sailing in their traditional waters. BC Ferries noted that vessels are no longer named by their service regions, and are standardized, likely to be moved around the fleet when needed.{{Cite web | url=https://www.saanichnews.com/news/b-c-first-nation-chief-frustrated-with-name-choice-for-bc-ferries-new-ship/ | title=B.C. First Nation chief 'frustrated' with name choice for BC Ferries new ship | date=January 13, 2022|access-date=May 16, 2022}}

The name ''Island G̲wawis'' received backlash from [[Snuneymuxw First Nation]]. On the day after the name was released, Chief Mike Wyse issued a statement saying that he was "saddened and frustrated" that the ferry company "decided to choose a racist and discriminatory path riddled with colonial acts that is woefully inflammatory and offensive to building a relationship between" them and BC Ferries. The indigenous group believed that the vessel should have been named in the Snuneymuxw language, as the ferry would be sailing in their traditional waters. BC Ferries noted that vessels are no longer named by their service regions, and are standardized, likely to be moved around the fleet when needed.{{Cite web | url=https://www.saanichnews.com/news/b-c-first-nation-chief-frustrated-with-name-choice-for-bc-ferries-new-ship/ | title=B.C. First Nation chief 'frustrated' with name choice for BC Ferries new ship | date=January 13, 2022|access-date=May 16, 2022}}

== Service history ==

== Service history ==

''Island Gwawis'' entered service with her sister ship {{ship||Island Kwigwis}} on April 12, 2022, replacing {{ship||Quinsam}} on the [[Nanaimo]]-[[Gabriola Island]] route. The vessel overnights next to the [[Nanaimo Harbour ferry terminal]].

''Island G̲wawis'' entered service with her sister ship {{ship||Island Kwigwis}} on April 12, 2022, replacing {{ship||Quinsam}} on the [[Nanaimo]]-[[Gabriola Island]] route. The vessel overnights next to the [[Nanaimo Harbour ferry terminal]].

==References==

==References==