Long before James Cook landed on the west coast of Vancouver Island in 1778, Aboriginals have inhabited the area and its history lives on in numerous Aboriginal experiences. The Coast Salish, Nuu-chah-nulth and Kwakwakawa'wakw have lived in permanent settlements on the shores and valleys of the island, creating elaborate art forms over the centuries.
Visitors exploring Vancouver Island's Aboriginal culture can expect to taste traditional foods, take an interpretive tour, see totem poles, view art galleries and museums, witness ceremonies, and hike or canoe historical routes travelled for thousands of years by the island's first residents.
So rich is the Aboriginal culture here that it was chosen as the location for the 2008 North American Indigenous Games. The games hosted over 4,500 Canadian and US athletes and more than 3,000 cultural performers. Vancouver Island is perhaps the most accessible area for Aboriginal experiences; visitors are never far from First Nations' culture.
First Nations Art and Culture
Alert Bay's U'mista Cultural Centre and Quw'utsun' Cultural Centre in Duncan bring Aboriginal history and traditions to life through live demonstrations, hands-on activities and multi-media presentations. See the impressive Kwagiulth Big House -styled lodge, Tsa-Kwa-Luten on Quadra Island. Hike an ancient route on Nootka Island on the remote northwest coast. Visit museums in Campbell River and Duncan or an outdoor gallery in Chemainus recounting both pre-and post-European settlement.
In Victoria, the Royal British Columbia Museum chronicles the history and culture of BC, while Chinatown (North America's second oldest Chinatown) provides a fascinating glimpse of Asian culture and traditions.
Cowichan Valley
Duncan is known as the "City of Totems" and rightly so. The city's more than 40 totem poles in the downtown area, and free totem tours offer visitors insight into Aboriginal life in the Cowichan Valley. The Quw'utsun' Cultural Centre brings the heritage of the Cowichan people to life. Enjoy traditional cuisine such as scow bread and salmon cooked over an open pit while ancient stories are relived through dance performances. Visit the Aboriginal owned and operated Cherry Point Vineyards for tastings and tours.
Chemainus Murals of First Nations and Chinese Culture
The world's largest outdoor gallery is home to several Aboriginal-themed murals and wooden sculptures; perhaps the most recognized of the 40 murals is "Native Heritage" featuring Aboriginal figures from past and present. Asian history is highlighted in murals depicting the Chinese involvement in the area's lumber and mining industries.
Campbell River and Quadra Island
The Campbell River and District museum's, "The Treasures of the Siwidi" is a dramatic presentation featuring a local chief narrating his ancestral stories. Exhibits include a First Nations gallery, a recreation of the area's first hotel, a 1916 steam-powered logging vehicle, a reconstruction of a 1920s-era floathouse and a pioneer cabin. Tsa-Kwa-Luten Lodge on Quadra Island is a resort designed in the style of a Kwagiulth Big House, decorated with Native art and offers a traditional Aboriginal menu.
Alert Bay
The U'mista Cultural Centre in Alert Bay brings the heritage of the Kwakwakawa'wakw First Nations to life through exhibits, films and live traditional dance performances. The main permanent exhibit, "The Potlatch Collection," is housed in a ceremonial Big House. It displays potlatch regalia, such as masks and copper implements, confiscated by the government in 1922 and not returned to the Kwakwaka'wakw First Nations until 1980.
Hiking Aboriginal Routes
For those looking to combine a rugged hiking experience with an Aboriginal culture theme, the 35km/22mi Nootka Island Trail follows an ancient route used by Aboriginal people for at least 4,000 years before Captain Cook first set foot on the island in 1778. Ancient village sites, a totem pole and the remains of a shipwreck are visual reminders of this island's past.
Or take a water taxi from Tofino to Flores Island and hike the 10km/6mi "Walk the Wild Side Trail" through unspoiled forests and beaches, created by the Ahousaht people. Read more about Aboriginal history and the Wild Side Trail in British Columbia Magazine's "Walk on the Wild Side" article.
Aboriginal Art
Part of Vancouver Island Aboriginal life is art. Elaborate works can be found at various galleries including Eagle Aerie Gallery in Tofino, the Judy Hill Gallery in Duncan and the Comox Valley's I-HOS Gallery Big House. Expect to find masks, totems, prints and native jewellery.
Cultural Tours
One of the best ways to gain insight into Vancouver Island's Aboriginal history and culture is to take a guided tour. Learn first-hand from Aboriginal elders about indigenous plants and local areas of interest. Go sightseeing and wildlife watching in Campbell River or take in Aboriginal ceremonies and performances in the Cowichan Valley. Help paddle a canoe on a guided tour from Tofino into Clayoquot Sound.
Practical Points
- Some locations are open seasonally or by appointment only; always check operating hours in advance.
- Artifacts and regalia have historical and cultural significance, and should not be touched, unless given permission.
- Ask permission to take photos; some artifacts such as totem poles have interesting stories, and in asking for permission visitors learn more about the local history.
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