SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Yellowknife and the rest of Canada is full of unclaimed pirate treasure - that's according to five-year old treasure chest finder Hamish MacDonald.

"There's so much treasure on other islands and other places," said Hamish.

Pirate and treasure hunter Hamish MacDonald warns other pirates to keep their hands off his treasure. - Charlotte Hilling/NNSL photo

Despite Yellowknifer's suspicions that Hamish's parents planted the treasure for the sake of a fun family adventure, the self-proclaimed treasure hunter is happy to be doubted.

"Hamish understands that, in the news, if you're a pirate or a treasure hunter, you have to put other people off by giving them the slip," said mom Ginger Gibson.

The story began two weeks ago when Hamish was given the book "Pirateology" as a birthday present, and happened upon a coded message.

After two days of toil, the family managed to decode the message - which they allege was from Arabella Drummond - a female pirate long forgotten by contemporary historians.

Ever watchful of rival treasure hunters, Hamish was at first reluctant to reveal the location of the treasure they found.

"We went through a little ... I don't want to tell you, so no one else will look for it," he said.

However, after some heated negotiations Hamish graciously unveiled the details.

The decoded message gave instructions about the location of hidden treasure. Hamish and his family set off by canoe to an unspecified island on Hidden Lake, where they walked 50 paces southeast of a blackened tree and found the treasure chest.

Within the chest was a bounty of coins, precious jewels, an ancient thimble, a pirate's peg leg, and a note from the pirate Arabella Drummond - promising more treasure to come.

According to the note from Drummond, there are piles of treasure to be found all over Canada. Yellowknifer knows the location of said treasure chests, but is under strict instructions not to print them.

Worried other pirates may become interested, Hamish stipulated "don't put that in the newspaper - it's just to show your boss."

Despite his protectiveness of the treasure locations, Hamish has worthy plans for the loot.

"I'm keeping it to give to other people who are really nice to me," he said, looking particularly distinguished in his fetching blue bandanna.

Hamish wishes to continue being a pirate into adulthood, but not before he dispenses with his current crew - his family - in favour of a new one.

He has no plans to upgrade his current ship - a canoe - for a larger one, preferring the stealthy advantages that come with a smaller vessel.

Hamish is currently half way through four days of an Egyptian Summer Camp, where he is learning all about the treasures of the mummies.

He has adopted the name Black Beard II, after his favourite pirate, and has a warning to rivals: "Watch out for Hamish John MacDonald, because he's coming to get the next treasure."