The Portland Canal marks part of today's British Columbia-Alaska Boundary, extending 114 km north from Portland Inlet to the town of Stewart.
In 1793, Captain George Vancouver named the canal in honour of William Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland.1
This despatch notes that the canal marks the boundary between the Colony of British Columbia and the Russian Possessions.
The canal is a common fishing and food gathering area for the Nisga'a people, who
know the entire body of water as “X'alii Xk'alaa”.2
1. Portland Canal,BC Geographical Names Information System.