Central Vancouver in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia — Canada’s West Coast (North America)

Unstable Politics

Photographed By Adam Margolis, October 10, 2023

1. Unstable Politics Marker

Inscription. By 1865, fortunes were made in BC, thanks to world demand for the plush pelt of the northern seal.

Sealing dominated the city of Victoria's economy for nearly 50 years. At its height, 122 schooners employed over 3,000 hunters, the majority from First Nations' villages on Vancouver Island's west coast.

Then over-hunting and lack of regulation brought catastrophe and almost led to war.

As seals became scarce, the US declared the herds to be under US custody and control. Gunboats impounded Russian and Japanese boats. Russia and Japan reciprocated.

Caught in the middle, many a BC sealer wound up in a Vladivostok prison or marooned on the Bering Sea. The Kwakiutl nation went to war of over abduction of their people.

Yet it wasn't a total loss. In 1911, an international agreement banned seal hunting in their breeding grounds- the first wildlife conservation treaty in the world.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Government & Politics • Industry & Commerce • Native Americans. A significant historical year for this entry is 1865.

Location. 49° 17.416′ N, 123° 7.076′ W. Marker is in Vancouver, British Columbia, in Metro Vancouver. It is in Central Vancouver. Marker is on Canada Place

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 76-1055 Canada Place, Vancouver BC, Canada. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Wind Wheel Mobile (a few steps from this marker); The Olympic Cauldron (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Jack Poole Plaza (about 120 meters away); Komagata Maru (about 150 meters away); Canada Pavillion (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Ceperley Rounsefell Building (approx. half a kilometer away); Canada Place (approx. half a kilometer away); BC & Yukon Chamber of Mines (approx. half a kilometer away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vancouver.

Photographed By Adam Margolis, October 10, 2023

2. Unstable Politics Marker

Marker can be seen on the left.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 18, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 16, 2023, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. This page has been viewed 30 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 16, 2023, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.