Soil, Struggle & Sisu
farming
The first group of Finnish settlers decided to purchase Malcolm Island from the B.C. Government for several reasons, but one of the main motivations being their belief that the land would be suitable for farming, enabling them to become self-sufficient through food production.
At the time, the dense salal bushes prevented the government surveyor from venturing far inland, leading him to report that the land was sandy. However, after the first winter in 1901, settlers observed, “the soil of the entire island seems to be clay-based black earth.”
Malcolm Island was shaped by glaciers and the ocean during the last ice age. As the ice melted, glaciers and floating icebergs left behind sand, gravel, and small amounts of soil, but they also scraped away richer topsoil. Some areas had clay-based black earth, which seemed good for farming at first. However, the soil across the island was uneven. The clay held water but packed too tightly for roots to grow well, while the sand and gravel drained too quickly, washing away nutrients. These poor soil conditions made it challenging to grow crops and reach the settlers’ goal of being self-sufficient with their food.
One of the best reasons for following this suggestion of where to establish our settlement is that it would be located as close as possible to the centre of farmland, an important advantage during this time of no roads. You see, a steam, probably the most abundant stream on Malcolm Island, runs down from Home Point (now Rough Bay) into the bay. Grasses grow thickly around its mouth, its sides are open, and nowhere else on the island have we found land that would be easier to put into cultivation.
Unexpected Challenges
Cultivating life for the Kalevan Kansa settlers on Malcolm Island was hard work. Though a few areas had been previously cleared by other settlers attempting to homestead on Malcolm Island, much of the brush had reclaimed the land. The land was still heavily forested with spruce, hemlock, Douglas Fir, and cedar, which needed to be cleared and the stumps burned to make way for farming and housing. Other work to be done included digging draining ditches in the marsh to grow vegetables and hay, and planting and hoeing in the fields.
Early on cows were brought in, but they had to be moved to another island due to a lack of sufficient grass. Eventually a communal potato field was planted, and most families had their own garden, a few chickens, and maybe a cow or two. The Aika, Sointula’s first newspaper stated that 1500 fruit trees had been planted on Malcolm Island by 1904. Those included cherries, pears, plums and a varitey of apples. Despite these challenges, the Finnish settlers held onto Sisu.
Photo above: Setting (likely fruit trees) and stakes on the land with Teodor Tanner, an unidentified young man, and two children. Carol Puff Collection, photo#31.
Teodore Tanner, who had studied horticulture in Finland, planted a large garden and grafted multi-fruit trees that bore apples, plums, and cherries. Once a week, he would row to Alert Bay to sell his produce. Hunting deer for food and trapping mink were common, and the hides were cured and sold for extra income. After the Kalevan Kansa went bankrupt, some men left the island to work in logging camps, though the language barrier often posed difficulties. However, fishing proved to be a dominate to make a living. You can learn more about the Finnish settlers’ experiences by reading Sointula: Island Utopia by Paula Wild.
Sisu – Doing what is necessary in the face of insurmountable obstacles by drawing on an inner reserve of power. A combination of courage, determination, and strength of will. What must be done, will be done.
Photo above: Dick Hamil with squash, circa 1970s. R. J. Kayfetz Collection, #334. Sointula Museum.
Homestead to Harvest
Objects on display include: Matti Pouttu’s (1872-1921) farming tools, photographs of homesteaders from 1900s to 1970s.
Today, small-scale farming is an important part of connection in Sointula. The Sointula Community Garden brings people together to grow fresh produce, and in the summer, locals and visitors alike can shop at the garden’s Saturday market from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Hillside Farms, specializing in microgreens and fresh produce, offers goods year-round, and other vendors often join the market with their own homegrown products. For those looking for fresh herbs, flowers, eggs, and more, the Market Stand at the Sointula Resource Centre is another great stop.
Whether you’re interested in history, sustainability, or simply enjoying the island’s fresh offerings, Sointula’s farming story—past and present—is one of resilience, community, and a deep connection to the land.
plan your visit
Every journey to Sointula begins and ends with a boat trip – it’s part of the adventure!
