Sample
itinerary
:
Native Cultural Tour
The
First Nations have a very rich cultural history in British Columbia.
Learn the history of the First Nations, how they lived, their artwork,
totem poles, homes and the way they hunted and fished. This tour will
explain the coming of the white man, the development of BC and the
Indian Reserves and the state of the First Nations people today.
Throughout
Vancouver and Vancouver Island, there are different exhibits showing
the culture of the coastal natives. There are museums, cultural centres,
totem poles and long houses depicting their unique and wondrous carvings
and artwork.
There are a number of places around the Vancouver area to visit. The
Capilano Suspension Bridge, the 230 ft. (77m) bridge suspended over
the magnificent and steep Capilano Canyon, has a wonderful display
of native totem poles and artwork. You may fine the First Nations
people (the name given the native people of Canada) carving totems
or creating new artwork. Visit Grouse Mountain to ride the famous
Skyride to this 3700 ft. (1300m) high mountaintop playground. View
the native artwork in the gift shop and other native artwork throughout
the lodge. For larger groups, you can book a dinner in the mountaintop
longhouse. The beautiful Anthropology Museum at the University of
British Columbia is a must-see if you want to find out more about
the First Nations people of BC. Thre is an Inuit Gallery in Gastown
where you may purchase the stunning native artwork.
There
is a great opportunity to participate in an ancient native tradition
of canoeing the shores of BC. Takaya Tours is a company owned solely
by the Tsleil-Waututh Nation who wish to share their knowledge with
visitors who appreciate wild nature and authentic indigenous heritage.
Paddle a Northwest Coast Ocean Going Canoe and listen to traditional
songs, legends of the area and learn the cultural history of Burrard
Inlet. Then enjoy a traditional plant nature walk. Listen to ancient
wisdom of the area's flora and fauna.
The
beautiful city of Victoria, located on picturesque Vancouver Island,
is also home to many First Nations' cultural exhibits. The Royal BC
Museum with its First Nations Exhibit, one of the world's tallest
totem poles in BC at Beacon Hill Park, and the totem poles at Thunderbird
Park are some of exhibits in and around Victoria.
If
you choose to travel Vancouver Island, you will find more museums
and cultural centres depicting the life of the First Nations people
before and after the coming of the White Man. Duncan is called "the
city of totems" because of the numerous totem poles lining the
city roads. Tour the Quw'utsun' Cultural & Conference Centre where
you will visit a traditional long house where First Nations people
today are carving the traditional totems. Try out the carving technique
on a guest totem.
Chemainus is called "The Little Town That Did". It acquired
its nickname after Chemainus' residents decided to expand their forest
industry past into a vibrant tourism-driven future with its 33 murals
and 8 sculptures, on the buildings of the town, depicting the life
of the First Nations people.
Campbell River is a beautiful little fishing and port town called
"the Salmon Capital of the World". Visit the Wei Wai Kum
House of Treasures, an art gallery where you may purchase the stunning
native artwork and also the museum with its First Nations Exhibit.
You may choose to experience a tour with Aboriginal Journeys, a locally
owned and operated First Nations wildlife and cultural tour company.
You may view whales, sealions or bears while being shown where First
Nations village sites were once located and some of the history of
the area.
Quadra Island, one of the discover islands off the coast of Vancouver
Island, is home to a beautiful First Nations lodge by Cape Mudge called
"Tsa-Kwa-Luten," which means gathering place in the Kwak'wala
language. Today, the Laichwiltach people have conceived and built
a modern, full-service beach-front Lodge, which is designed llike
a longhouse, where their ancestors once lived, hunted and fished the
salmon rich Discovery Passage.
This historic location is where British explorer Captain George Vancouver
first came in contact with the aboriginal peoples of the coast during
his voyage in 1792. You may be able to find ancient petroglyph (rock
carvings and pits) on boulders strewn along the beach in front of
the former village site of Tsa-Kwa-Luten. Visit the historic We-Wai-Kai
Village located at Cape Mudge and tour the Kwagiulth Museum and Cultural
Centre.
There are also many more First Nations mueums, cutlural centres and
accommodation facilities throughout the interior of BC. Ask us about
additional areas to visit.
We will
custom
make you an itinerary best suited to your needs and interests,
including flight, transportation, accommodations, and activities.
Sample
itinerary
:
Native Cultural Tour
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