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Alert Bay

September 2, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > Alert Bay, Aboriginal & Cultural
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British Columbia's coastline is dotted with many remarkable communities, many accessibly only by boat or seaplane. These communities, in turn, are home to remarkable people and stories. One such place is Alert Bay, home to the 'Namg is First Nation.

In the mid-1980s, the 'Namg is built the Umista Cultural Centre to house dozens of ceremonial potlatch masks that were repatriated to the tribe after being confiscated in the 1920s. The cultural centre is provides visitors with an understanding of the masks, their artwork, and their place in coastal first-nations society, as well as an overview of the often painful story of BC's First Nations over the past two centuries. Today, the surrounding village of Alert Bay is a contemporary First Nations community, and it's picturesque location on Cormorant Island is an easy ferry-ride from Port McNeill. Alert Bay should certainly be included in the travel plans for anyone visiting Northern Vancouver Island, and the Umista Cultural centre is a gem of the Pacific Northwest.

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Posted by Janice , at 07:38 PM

Snow Leopard visits Cultural Centre in Whistler, BC

August 10, 2009 | Field Reports > Whistler, Aboriginal & Cultural
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The Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre in Whistler, BC is definitively a must see! Ghana's Olympic skier know as the Snow Leopard and Tourism BC Field Reporter Chris Wheeler explore the Aboriginal museum that showcases the local Squamish and Lil'wat First Nations through art and exhibits. They even sample some traditional food and join in on the Chief Jimmy Jimmy Dance! The Squamish and Lil'wat hosts are very friendly and the centre offers visitors a truly immersive experience of the two nations rich cultures.

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Posted by Chris Wheeler, at 01:36 PM

Spirit of the Peace Powwow

June 21, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > Taylor, Aboriginal & Cultural

One of the major events in the Peace Region for Aboriginal peoples is the Spirit of the Peace Powwow. This year the event was held from June 19^th – 21^st, 2009.

I had been looking forward to the event for sometime because it is a chance for me to get together with family and friends and celebrate my aboriginal heritage and history. Everyone is welcome to the event and it can be a very interesting and knowledge-gaining experience.

At this event there were four grand entrance times. At the grand entrance participating dancers, organizers, and elders entered the circle dancing to traditional and sacred drumming and singing. After the grand entrance there were different groups of dancers (dressed in traditional attire) dancing. I always enjoy the sounds of the bells jingling from the costumes as the dancer’s rock back and forth and jump to the drumming.  It was very emotional for some people attending; even I began tearing up without an explanation.

Also at the event were people selling handmade jewellery, dream catchers, clothing and moccasins. I had my eye on a pair of handmade wrap around moccasins with beautiful beading on them, but someone was faster than I was. There were also food concessions. They had run out of bannock before I got there though.

If anyone should get a chance to attend a Powwow in the future, I would strongly recommend you take the chance, it can be a once in a lifetime experience. Many aboriginal people are happy to share their culture and traditions with everyone who is interested.

 

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Posted by Alana, Fort St. John at 04:18 PM

Circle farm tours

June 1, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > Abbotsford, Aboriginal & Cultural

 I recently went on a circle farm tour in abbotsford, it exceeded my expectations it is a fantastic day activity for families. Birchwood dairy had so many wonderful flavours of icecream and clayburn comfort soap and Body Works was a wonderful fragrant escape it had so many cool products to buy. I would recommend this tour to anyone i know!!

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Posted by abbygal, abbotsford at 02:59 PM

Petroglyphs at Thorsen Creek, Bella Coola

May 12, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > Bella Coola, Aboriginal & Cultural
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To see some wonderfully preserved First Nation's petroglyphs, Bella Coola has a short guided hike or walk available to see a number of examples.  Only a 1/2 hour walk to reach the site, this hike is enjoyable and the end result is fantastic. 

I, unfortunately, was only able to do this hike with a private group, but there are guided hikes offered throughout the summer, starting mid-June by a Nuxalk Nation member.  I would imaging the interpretation during the hike would add great value to the hike, and I myself would love to go back to get the full details on the site. 

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Posted by kamloopstraveller, Kamloops at 07:39 PM

Aboriginal Museum & Cultural Centre, Whistler

November 20, 2008 | Tips from Travellers > Whistler, Aboriginal & Cultural
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If you are looking for something cultural to do next time you visit Whistler, check out the new Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre. The new Aboriginal museum showcases the local Squamish and Lil'wat First Nations through Native art, awesome exhibits and engaging performances, like the Cheif Jimmy Jimmy dance. You also get to view a spectacular 15 minute movie in HD and make a craft with real cedar bark in the upstairs gallery. The building is amazing, over 30,000 square feet with floor to ceiling windows revealing panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and forest. You can be inside warm and dry while still be able to appreciate the beautiful nature that Whistler has to offer. The Squamish and Lil'wat hosts are super friendly and genuine and provide interesting guided tours of the exhibits. The cafe has a modern indigenous menu like the Mountain Hoagie with bison salami, arctic muskox and wild boar prosciutto. They also have more familiar foods like salmon chowder and a variety of salads. The gift shop is staked with incredible Native art, carvings, moccassins, clothing etc. This place is a major addition to Whistler and a must see! It is so unique.

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Posted by Dee, Whistler at 10:41 AM

Hiking to the First Nations Petroglyphs in Bella Coola

October 21, 2008 | Field Reports > Bella Coola, Aboriginal & Cultural
Find more information about Bella Coola, Aboriginal & Cultural

 I was in Bella Coola and I wanted to go for a bit of a hike so I ask someone that worked in town for a suggestion. She recommended that I check out the First Nation Petrogyphs (rock carvings) just outside of town.  I went to a gallery and there they set me up with a guide to take me up the trail and explain the significance of what I saw. I felt like I was getting a chance to see something that few people get the opportunity check out. The whole area was very spiritual, serene and beautiful, well worth a visit!

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Posted by Ivan Hughes, Squamish at 02:59 PM

'Ksan Historical Village

January 3, 2008 | Tips from Us > New Hazelton, Aboriginal & Cultural

 In March of this year I had the pleasure of travelling east from Prince Rupert to Smithers.  We made a too-brief stop at the 'Ksan Historical Village in Hazelton and, while much of the site was closed for the season, we were able to have a good look around at the amazing houses and totem poles, as well as the Museum.  To have a more thorough look around would be well worth a trip back up North!

The 'Ksan Historical Village and Museum stands where the village of Gitanmaax has existed for centuries.  There has a museum of sorts on the site for decades but the current one has over 600 items from the area including bent boxes, button blankets, jewellery, hunting utensils.  Outside, a row of 7 Gitxsan houses line up for a great photo op, and if you are a totem pole fan, there is lots to see and capture on film.

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Posted by Kathleen, Vancouver at 02:06 PM

Haida Seafood Dinner

August 13, 2007 | Tips from Travellers > Queen Charlotte City, Aboriginal & Cultural

 

The Skidegate Repatriation Committee has a Seafood Dinner Fundraiser this Sunday (August 19th). All proceeds go towards repatriation projects. Evening includes traditional seafood dinners, informative slide show presentations, and traditional Haida dancing. Tickets are available at the Queen Charlotte Visitor Centre.

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Posted by Queen Charlotte Visitor Centre, Queen Charlotte at 10:47 PM

Haida Dancers

July 16, 2007 | Tips from Travellers > Queen Charlotte City, Aboriginal & Cultural

 The Haida dancers will be preforming at the Queen Charlotte Visitor Information Centre on Wednesday July 25th and Tuesday July 31st. These dancers are a group unique to Haida Gwaii/ Queen Charlotte Islands. The Preformance includes Haida drumming, Traditional Haida dance, And songs sung in the Haida language. The Preformance will be held on the deck of the Visitor's Centre overlooking the water.

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Posted by Queen Charlotte Visitor Centre, Queen Charlotte at 10:28 PM