Vancouver - Whistler
Vancouver
- Whistler » The Sites & Cultural Tours UBC
Museum of Anthropology Admission: $6 tel: 604.822.5087 604.822-3825 Address:
6393 NW Marine Drive, Vancouver The Museum
of Anthropology has one of the world's finest collections of North West Coast
Totem Poles and Aboriginal artifacts. The museum has extensive collections including
totem poles, feast dishes, canoes, masks, and jewelry in the Great Hall. Visitors
can stroll through the grounds of the
museum, where two Haida Houses and ten poles capture
the dramatic beauty of traditional architecture and design. It is world-renowned
for its collections, research, teaching, public programs, and community connections.
It is also acclaimed for its spectacular architecture and unique setting on the
cliffs of Point Grey.The University of British
Columbia is located in Point Grey, on a finger of land that juts out into the
Straits of Georgia, twenty minutes from downtown Vancouver. As well as being home
to the Museum of Anthropology it is famous for its Botanical Gardens and the Nitobe
Memorial Gardens. Over 34,000 students attend classes here every year. The Anthropology
Gift Shop features books, Northwest Pacific Coast artist-designed silver jewelry,
masks, baskets and carvings. Museum hours
are 11:00 a.m.--9:00 p.m. Tuesday, 11:00 a.m.--5:00 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday. Vancouver
Art Gallery Admission $15 Telephone: 604.662.4700 www.vanartgallery.bc.ca Address:
750 Hornby Street, Vancouver Emily Carr's
bold bold-stroked paintings of First Nations scenes are the main attraction of
Vancouver Art Gallery and her work takes up the entire 4th floor. Carr is B.C.'s
best known artist and the museum owns the largest collection of her work in the
world. The handsome late 19th century building used to be the Vancouver Court
House. The National Aboriginal Days are held in the court yard every June 21. Stanley
Park Admission: $ wide variety of activities available in Stanley Park
at different times throughout the year tel: 604.257.8400 www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/parks/parks/stanley Address:
2000 W Georgia Street (@ Chilco Street) Westend Vancouver Stanley
Park is Vancouver's prized green space with a 1,000 acre evergreen forest northwest
of downtown. This is one of the continent's largest and most scenic parks. The
park remains today, as it did 100 years ago, boasting sandy beaches, a 5 ˝ mile
sea wall, giant fir and cedar trees and stunning vistas from every side. The natural
beauty of the area has been preserved and the Park remains as the single biggest
draw for visitors and locals alike. In the
heart of the park on a grassy knoll between Coal Harbour and Brocton Point, sit
the famous Stanley Park Totems. The collection of Kwakiutl and Haida totem poles
represents styles from a few of the Northwest Pacific Coast native traditions. At Prospect Point, the viewpoint at English
Bay, is the location of a sacred transformer site know as the Siwish Rock. The
Coast Salish people knew his rock as Slahkayulsh, or "He who is standing up" The
name refers to a man famed both as a warrior and as a father. According to legend,
the man was swimming in the narrows while his wife gave birth to their child in
the forests of Prospect Point. It was the law that he must be spotlessly clean,
so that when his child looked out upon the world it would have a chance to live
it's own life clean. While he swam, a canoe
pulled up, bearing four giant men who were the agents of the Creator. They told
him to move out of their way, but the father said he was unable to stop swimming
or go ashore or do anything that would interfere with the purity of his coming
child's life. No man had ever defied them before and as they were discussing what
to do, the faint cry of a child came from the forest. The swimmer ceased his stroke
and the tallest of the three men said "because you have placed the child's future
above all things, you shall never die, but shall stand through all the thousands
of years to come where all eyes can see you as an indestructible monument to Clean
Fatherhood." As the feet of the young chief touched the shore, he was transformed
into stone. That is the story of how Siwish Rock came to be. The
National Geographic Tree is worth a short hike in the park. Believed to be the
largest red cedar tree in the world at almost 30 meters around, this tree was
featured in The National Geographic magazine and thus became known as the "National
Geographic Tree It can be located just off the main park drive, just past the
Hollow Tree and down a trail towards the water (about 100 yards). For
many years, Lost lagoon was simply a shallow outlet from the ocean and the water
would disappear at low tide. Later, a man-made blockage was created and it now
is a tranquil habitat for many animals and birds. Visitors
can take in the Aquarium, view the abundant birdlife here or stroll along one
of the many paths which meander through this beautiful park. The
park is located at the foot of West Georgia Street between English Bay and Burrard
Inlet, the park is less than 5 minutes drive from downtown. Georgia Street (west)
will take you directly into the park. Stay in the right hand lane (the left lanes
take you to the Lions Gate Bridge and West Vancouver). If you prefer to walk to
the park, it is approximately 1.5 km/1 mile from downtown. Pay-parking
is in effect in the park during the day. During the summer, the Parks Board provides
a free shuttle service for visitors. Look for the brightly-painted Stanley Park
trolley as it makes its circle tour along the sea wall. You can board the trolley
at any number of stops throughout the park. There
is a free Stanley Park Shuttle that operates mid-June to mid-September, providing
frequent (15-minute intervals) transportation between 14 major park sights. Pick
it up on Pipeline Road, near the Georgia Street park entrance, or at any of the
stops in the park.
The Poles of Stanley Park
The Stanley Park collection of Kwakiutl and Haida totem poles are mostly duplicate replicas from the Kwakwaka’wakw’ tradition. The distinct unpainted pole is a Nisga’a original.
The poles are:
1. The Oscar Maltipi Pole, carved by Kwakwaka’wakw artist Oscar Maltipi in 1968
2. The Beaver Crest Pole, carved by Nisga’a artist Norman Tait, his son Isaac, his brother Robert and his nephew Ron in 1987
3. The Chief Wakas Pole, carved by artist Doug Cranmer in 1987, who inherited the Wakas family crests
4. The Sky Chief Pole was carved by Hesqua’at artist Tim Paul and Ditidaht artist Art Thompson in 1988
5. The Kaka'solas Pole, carved by Kwakwaka’wakw’ Ellen Reed and her Uncle Mungo Martin in 1955 for Woodwards department store & was loaned to Stanley Park from the Museum of Anthropology
6. The Thunderbird House Post, carved by Tony Hunt in 1987 to replace the Kwakwaka’wakw’ replica house post
7. The Kwakwaka’wakw’ Ga'akstalas pole, carved by Wayne Alfred and Beau Dyck in 1991
8. The Chief Skedans Mortuary Pole was carved by Haida Artist Bill Reid and assistant Werner True in 1964
How did the poles come to be in Stanley Park?
In the early 1920’s the Historical and Scientific Association and the Vancouver Park Commissioners came up with the idea to put together a Native Village at the Village of Whoi Whoi which originally stood at this site in Stanley Park.
The first four original poles had been carved in the late 1880s and were all purchased from the Alert Bay region on Vancouver Island. In 1936 pole numbers increased to celebrate Vancouver’s Golden Jubilee and three more poles were purchased from the Queen Charlotte Islands and Rivers Inlet on the central coast of British Columbia from the historical association and the Department of Indian Affairs. In 1951 the potlatch-ban law was reversed and the First Nations began carving again. The totem pole exhibit, which never achieved its full village vision, remained at the original village site until the early 1960s. The poles were moved to their present location, in the heart of the park on a grassy knoll between Coal Harbour and Brocton Point, which was considered to offer a more appropriate backdrop with better public access. The late 1960’s saw the next bunch of replica poles arrive from mostly the Kwakwaka'wakw' and Haida carvers representing styles from a few of the Northwest Pacific Coast traditions. The totem pole collection has changed considerable over the years and deteriorated ones have been replicated or replaced.
Totem Poles documented people’s lineages and origins, rights and privileges, super natural experiences, achievements, territories and marriages and memorials.
There are metal plaques with explanations of the various figures in front of each Totem. In 2001 more signage was put in place in front of a little stream that separates the totems and made a larger viewing area where more visitors are able to identify the eight totem poles and read the stories related to each of them.
The Wakas Pole was the subject of a 1903 painting from the well-known British Columbia artist Emily Carr when she first visited Alert Bay. Carved in 1890 as a memorial to the Wa’kas family, the original pole once fronted the Cranmer family's bighouse in Alert Bay. On the original pole, the nine-foot Raven’s beak was made from an overturned canoe and opened to reveal a small ceremonial entrance to the house. Raven’s beak and Raven depicts a trickster figure. In 1928, the Art, Historical and Scientific Centre of Vancouver bought the pole for $700 and shipped it to Stanley Park. Doug Cranmer, Kwakwaka’wakw ’master carver, (recently passed in November 2006) carved this replica pole, with the original being housed in the National museum in Ottawa.
The whole of BC and Alaska is made up of First Nations groups of the Northwest Pacific coast (British Columbia, southern Alaska, Washington) who are all different, they speak different languages and they carve differently. Totem Poles illustrated a way to identify and tell the different Nations apart. The variation of art styles found in the carved monuments from north to south is due to the different cultural backgrounds of the artists.
In 1884 the Canadian government banned any carving of totem poles and traditional arts became illegal. Between the 1870’s and the 1920’s collectors and museums had been to the Northwest coast and reaped the totem poles and artifacts and removed them from the villages. Totem poles were shipped around the world as well as a large share to museums in eastern Canada. Unfortunately the poles were then mixed and clustered in groups from Alaska to BC for tourists to view and photograph, making it difficult without a trained eye to tell where the different poles were originally from.
In Alaska a United States government project in 1938 to 1940 removed many poles from the old abandoned villages and repaired and repainted them and are now in Ketchikan’s Totem Heritage Centre. In BC the final harvest of standing and fallen totem poles took place in the 1950s, when several poles were purchased and remained in museums in Vancouver and Victoria.
BC has some of the largest wood sculptures ever created and has a number of poles along its Northwest Coast in their original settings. The UNESCO Heritage Site in the Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve in the Queen Charlottes Islands is an example of the oldest and finest examples of totem poles in the world. BC also boasts the worlds tallest totem pole in Alert Bay; a 173 foot totem pole carved by six Kwakwaka’wakw’
In 1966 British Columbia celebrated the centennial of the joining of the two colonies of Vancouver Island and the mainland to form the colony of British Columbia. One of the centennial committee’s projects was to involve the provinces First Nations in a large-scale carving project named “Route of the Totems.” Eleven carvers were commissioned to create nineteen totem poles to be placed along tourist routes from Victoria to Prince Rupert.
Today throughout the BC and Alaskan communities, totem poles new and old stand as proud reminders of this heritage, with the figure representations from a mythological age
Stanley Park Horse
-Drawn carriages
Admission: $22 one-hour tour
Tel: 604.681.5115
www.stanleyparktours.com
The
carriages depart near the information booth, just off Georgia St entrance to Stanley
Park. These narrated, one-hour tours are a leisurely and informative way to see
the park. Clydesdale and Grey Shire horses pull the 20 passenger carriages by
all the park highlights. The Capilano
Suspension Bridge and Park Admission: Adult: $24.95 Child: $6.25 tel:
604.985.7474 www.capbridge.com Address:
3735 Capilano Road, North Vancouver The Capilano
Suspension Bridge and Park is conveniently located 10 minutes from downtown Vancouver
and offers a thrilling adventure 230 feet above the Capilano River. The bridge
is 450 feet across and is, without a doubt, the world's greatest suspension footbridge.
The park features colorful totem poles beautifully maintained in their original
condition. The colorful Totem Park displays over 25 authentic totem poles collected
since the 1930's and life-size red cedar statues carved during the Depression. Recent
poles in the Park include a memorial pole to Mary Capilano, the Human Peace Pole,
the Salmon Creek Pole, Wolf Guardian Pole and a pole depicting the legend, How
the Raven Stole the Sun, all placed along the cliff edge of Capilano River at
the south end of the Park. The central house post for the Big House is an honour
pole, recognizing carvers past, present and future at Capilano Suspension Bridge
and commemorating the Next Generations. Capilano
Suspension Bridge, open every day except Christmas, is Vancouver's oldest and
most famous attraction, drawing over 800,000 visitors annually. Friendly Tour
Greeters and Guides provide complimentary history and nature tours May to October.
The Big House native carving centre features First Nations artists at work, demonstrating
their techniques and sharing their heritage. The Canyon Café and Loggers' Grill
serve West Coast favorites May to September. The full service heritage Bridge
House Restaurant combines elegance, warmth and excellent cuisine year round. Granville
Island Public Market Tel: 1.604.666.5784 www.granvilleisland.com
Address: 1689 Johnston Street, Granville Island, Vancouver. The
Granville Island Market is Vancouver's celebrated specialty Public Market and
serves a feast for both the eye and the palate with over fifty food vendors. Visitors
will find an irresistible emporium of green grocers, butchers, bakers, fishmongers,
importers, ethnic food sellers, craft vendors, sweet stands, florists and casual
eateries. No matter what you're looking for, the Granville Island Public Market
can offer it fresh year-round. While wandering the maze-like building, you can
not only peruse items for your stomach, but also watch the talents of artisans
and craftspeople displayed throughout the isles of the market place. Once
you're loaded up with your lunch, snack and espresso, take a walk outside to the
wharf's outdoor seating and watch the boats sail by. Walk the boardwalk and view
unique designs of waterfront house boats and finish off with a stop at Emily Carr
Institute for the Arts. A lunch with dessert
can be purchased for $10 Canadian or $8.50 US currency.Mini Ferries Depart from
Granville Island near the public market. Cost for adults is $6 and runs every
fifteen minutes. Both the Aquabus and False Creek Ferries tour around False Creek
for an amusing narrated 25 minutes. The
Stawanis Chief Admission: Adult: free Address: Shannon Falls Provincial
Park, Highway 99, Squamish The Chief is a
single, stunning example of a monolith granite out-cropping. It's sheer-face profile
rises 2,139 feet above the town of Squamish in a mass of granite about one and
a half times the height of the world's tallest building. It is literally one rock,
just like the famous Ayer's Rock in Australia's outback. It is believed that the
rock which makes up the Chief was first formed about 93,000,000 years ago under
the earth's surface. Various geological processes took place before the Chief
raised the profile it shows today, of a chief's head. There are more than 200
climbing routes up this monstrous monolith. The Chief, just north of Shannon Falls,
has been in several action adventure films, with stars including Sylvester Stallone
shooting on location. Stawamus Chief lies in the North Shore Mountains off the
Sea to Sky Highway at Shannon Falls. To get
to the trailhead, follow highway 99 to the parking lot at Shannon Falls Provincial
Park. Then simply follow the signs leading to the trails and to the peaks of the
Stawamus Chief. Liliget Feast House Admission:
$20 dinner per person tel: (604) 681-7044 www.liliquet.com Address:
1724 Davie Street, Vancouver Liliget Feast
House is centrally located in Vancouver's West End and only 3 blocks from world-famous
Stanley Park and English Bay. The restaurant has cedar tables and benches and
creates an atmosphere reminiscent of a Northwest Coast Longhouse. Enjoy authentic
regional dishes cooked over the green-alderwood grill, including the Potlach Platter;
Barbecued Salmon, Oysters, Prawns, Venison, Elk, Wild Rice, Steamed Ferns and
Sweet Potato. Open daily for dinner 5-10 p.m. Liliget also offers full service
catering and private group luncheons. Reservations are highly recommended. Hiwis
Feast House Admission: Adult: free Grouse Mountain Gondola $20 tel:
(604) 984-0661 Address: 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver, BC Grouse
Mountain Since ancient times the First Peoples
of the Pacific Northwest Coast have gathered to celebrate in song, dance, food
and unity. These gatherings were held in a common meeting area, referred to as
the Long House or "Feast House". Now you can experience this tradition on Grouse
Mountain surrounded by spectacular vistas of sea and mountains all overlooking
the city of Vancouver. On entering the Hiwus
Feasthouse, you will be awestruck by its natural beauty. With its hand-split red
cedar planks stretching from floor to ceiling, full round hand-hewn cedar logs
and carved totem poles supporting the main building and its huge fire pit in the
center of the feasthouse.Guests can enjoy a one and a half hour sunset program,
combining traditional song and dance with a light dinner of traditional native
foods. Or, a full evening presentation that promises a two hour expanded program
of song, dance, and food including fresh vegetables together with dressing held
in a clam shell, bannock, salmon prepared in various fashions and presented on
wooden plates, steamed clams served in an authentic bent comer box, and a specially
prepared dessert all served in a traditional manner. In honor of witnessing these
celebrations, guests will be individually presented with an authentic native gift
of friendship. Afterwards, shop the native artwork and carvings exclusive to the
Hiwus Feasthouse by Coast Salish Native artist Richard Krentz. A highly collectible
artist working in the Coast Salish tradition, he crafts totem poles and large-scale
artwork for institutional and corporate clients, as well as gold jewellery and
his signature line of traditional bentwood boxes. He also constructs full-scale
long houses and 13-metre long stalashen (killer whale) cedar canoes. Grouse
Mountain Resorts Ltd. Admission: $20 Address: 6400 Nancy Greene Way,
North Vancouver BC phone 604.984.0661 www.grousemountain.com
The skyride to the top of Grouse Mountain
offers an excellent view of the city's skyline, harbour and Georgia Strait. Grouse
is the earliest ski hill in this region and offers a dozen different ski runs
and night skiing. It is popular for hand-gliding during the summer months. Just
fifteen minutes from downtown Vancouver, Grouse Mountain offers the visitor night
skiing, a day lodge, a ski shop and rentals, a ski school, restaurants and pubs,
helicopter tours, sleigh rides, The Grouse Mountain Refuge for Endangered Wildlife,
and a 91.5m (300ft.) snowboard pipe and terrain park. . Richard Krentz launched
the successful Feasthouse four years ago, in partnership with Grouse Mountain
Resort. Khot-La-Cha Art Gallery and Gift
Shop Admission: Adult: free tel: Toll Free: 1-866-987-3339 www.khot-la-cha.com Address:
270 Whonock Street_North Vancouver Khot-La-Cha
Art Gallery and Gift Shop was established in 1969 on the Capilano Indian Reserve
in North Vancouver, British Columbia, by Emily Baker who sought to provide an
outlet for the carving, bead work, knitting, and stitchery talents of her friends.
The store was given her husband Chief Simon Baker's traditional name Khot-La-Cha,
which means "kind heart" in the Squamish language. The store is now second-generation
owned and operated by Nancy Nightingale, the Bakers' daughter. Khot-La-Cha features
items created by some of British Columbia's finest Aboriginal artists and craftspeople;
most of the artwork and crafts are made by members of the Squamish Indian Band.
Included are hand-carved yellow and red cedar totem poles and plaques, ceremonial
masks, hand knit Indian sweaters, moccasins, and limited-edition prints. Specialties
include hand-tanned moose hide crafts, as well as porcupine quill and bone jewellery.
The store also showcases beautiful silver and gold carved jewellery designed by
artisans from the Queen Charlotte, Haida, Tlinket, and Tahitan tribes. Cedar
Root Gallery Admission: Adult: free tel: (604) 251-6244. or 604.251.4844 Address:
1607 East Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC The
Cedar Root Gallery is located in the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre in
downtown Vancouver. It is an Aboriginal goods specialty store located within the
Centre which sells a colourful selection of original artifacts and gift items.
There is a variety of both inexpensive and collector pieces showcased from the
finest local artists. Open 11 am - 5 pm weekdays and Saturday 12 noon - 4 pm. Spirit
Gallery tel: 604.921.8972 www.spirit-gallery.com Address:
6408 Bay Street, West Vancouver, Horseshoe Bay, BC Spirit
Gallery is a warm and welcoming art gallery and gift shop featuring First Nations
artists and designers. Although the focus is on Northwest Coast Native Art from
the coast of British Columbia, they carry work from aboriginal artists across
Canada. Within the gallery is a diverse and impressive collection of decorative
and ceremonial art created by the aboriginal peoples of Canada. The gallery features
masks, totems, sculpture, original paintings, prints and traditional works such
as rattles, drums, button blankets and cedar hats. Showcased is a large collection
of argillite, silver and gold jewellery. Within the Trading Post you will find
an extensive selection of items featuring Native designs. The
gallery overlooks spectacular Howe Sound in the quaint and vibrant community of
Horseshoe Bay at the northern edge of West Vancouver, B.C. Canada.
Qulus Aboriginal Tours Inc. tel: 604-590-5472 www.qulus.com Address:
408-100 Park Royal_West Vancouver, B.C Qulus
Aboriginal Tours is the two time recipient of the "Excellence in Customer Service
Award". Qulus Aboriginal Tours is the first Native-owned and operated charter
and sightseeing bus company in the lower mainland of BC., recognizable by a distinctive
Native design on the motorcoach. Qulus provides groups with First Nations Interpretive
tours of Vancouver and the surrounding areas, with each tour led by well-trained
Native guides who share their unique cultural perspective of the land. On the
tour, groups will savour a traditional lunch at the renowned Liliget Feast House
and hear stories about totem poles, Aboriginal traditions and culture. Qulus also
provides charter bus services year-round anywhere within British Columbia as well
as airport, hotel, cruise ship and Whistler transfers or groups. Takaya
Tours Admission: $25 - $140 tour tel: 604-904-7410 www.takayatours.com Address:
3093 Ghum-Lye Drive, North Vancouver , BC Takaya
Tours is an eco-tourism venture owned by the Tsleil-Waututh First Nation of North
Vancouver, British Columbia. They offer guests a fascinating introduction to the
Coast Salish culture through cultural experiences by kayak or canoe to special
sites up scenic Indian Arm. Guests will enjoy a unique and relaxing paddling adventure
while First Nation guides sing traditional songs, tell stories and point out ancient
village sites. Tours leave from beautiful Cates Park, North Vancouver or Belcarra
Regional Park, Port Moody. Other tours include an exploration of Indian Arm by
motorized boat and a guided nature walk that focuses on indigenous flora and fauna.
Takaya Tours caters to international visitors, educational youth groups & schools
and corporate groups. Takaya Driving Range/Takaya
Golf Centre Admission: Ball Rates: 75 balls for $5.25 Telephone: 604.929.6672 www.takayagolfcentre.com Address:
700 Apex Avenue, North Vancouver, British Columbia Takaya
Golf Centre with its several acres of natural surroundings provides an environment
that is in complete harmony with nature. The driving range is owned by the Tsleil-Waututh
First Nation of North Vancouver and located in one of the thriving residential
communities of the North Shore of Vancouver just minutes away from the inlet of
Deep Cove and a half hour from downtown Vancouver. The Centre is a full golf practice
centre with a two storey 78 stall facility. 59 stalls are completely covered.
The range at 150 yards wide and nearly 300 yards long is well targeted. Two short
game practice greens are available for bunker, chipping and putting practice.
The Clubhouse with a small lounge is typically west coast design with large viewing
areas of the entire practice facility. Restaurant services are available. Takaya
Golf Centre is located in a cul-de-sac at the end of Apex Avenue in North Vancouver.
The secluded totally treed property is next to a well developed residential development
and accessible off of Seymour Parkway. Seymour Parkway connects North Vancouver
with the small residential and small bay area of Deep Cove. Route
of the Totems Pole Admission: $free Address: Centennial Park in Horseshoe
Bay, near the ferry terminal Situated between
sheer mountains on one side and the community of Horseshoe Bay on the other side
with its' major ferry terminal is a "Route of the Totems" pole on the waterfront,
nearby. Tony Hunt designed the pole in Haida style after working with master carver
Mungo Martin in the replication of a pole in Victoria. He drew from the Haida
northern style art and his Tlinglit heritage to incorporate the Grizzly Bear,
a bear cub crouched between its ears, with the cubs legs protruding through Grizzly's
ears. At the base he carved a high-ranking person wearing a ringed hat. Also
in Horseshoe Bay, on the Marina side of the bay is the Boathouse Restaurant, with
two beautiful panels beside the main door, carved by Norman Tait in 1981. Talaysay
Tours Admission: $65 - $130 tour tel: (604) 628-8555 www.talaysaytours.com Address:
Tours operate out of Sechelt, B.C on the Sunshine Coast, ˝ hour plus a ferry trip
from Horseshoe Bay Talaysay Tours provides
a wide range of outdoor experiences that are enriched by Aboriginal and cultural
interpretation. Talaysay Tours operates out of Sechelt, British Columbia on the
beautiful Sunshine Coast. Sechelt lies within the traditional territory of the
Shishalh First Nations and is named after the original First Nations people of
the region. Talaysay Tours offers kayaking, seagoing canoe, hiking and in the
winter months, snowshoeing tours. First Nations guides share the history, legends
and stories of the Shishalh (Sechelt) people with their guests. In addition to
offering outdoor experiences, Talaysay Tours offers longhouse tours, museum and
community walks as well as cultural workshops to groups, conferences, retreats
and educational institutions. Guests can also rent kayaks from Talaysay Tours
and explore the waters of the Sunshine Coast on their own.All experiences operate
out of the community of Sechelt, on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia. Bear
Track Eco-Tours Sweatlodge Ceremony Two- day package Cost Per person
$198 Telephone: 604.414.0285 Location: Sliammon First Nation, Powell River,
B.C. Canada Tour is available every Friday and Saturday In
all of British Columbia, there is no more beautiful spot than the Sunshine Coast.
Surrounded on three sides by the sea and on the fourth by the spectacular snow-capped
Coastal Range Mountains, the Sunshine Coast is accessible only by water, even
though it is part of mainland British Columbia. Powell River is one of the most
spectacular untouched destinations on the Sunshine Coast. Aboriginal
Archeological sites with lythic scatters representing hunting locations and short-term
camp-sites date back between 8,000 - 11,000 BC. The territory is rich with sites
of shell middens, culturally modified trees, canoe skids, pictographs and fish
traps. This coastal rain-forest is considered one of the best places to view sea
lions, seals, eagles and seabirds in their natural surroundings and is well known
for its abundance of fish, crab, clams and oysters. The
Sweatlodge Ceremonies are presented in a traditional working environment to ensure
a total First Nations cultural immersion. Visitors will work along side the Elders
and assist with the ceremony preparations to participate in ways that honor First
Peoples' traditions and cultural teachings. Cultural
teachings will be shared in the traditional ways, with a spiritual purpose for
every thing that is done to prepare for the ceremony on the following day. The
tour package includes a Traditional Medicines hike in Okeover and the Malaspina
Inlets. Aboriginal Guides share their cultural teachings and instructions on plant
and animal relations stopping for a shore barbecue lunch. Accommodations are available
in Traditional Teepees or Bear Track's Oceanfront Guest House at the ceremony
site. This tour package is available every Friday and Saturday, call ahead. Two-
day package Cost Per person: $198 Traditional Teepee or Bear Track's Oceanfront
Guest House accommodations Bear Track
Eco-Tours is in the Sliammon Territory located at the end of the Pacific Coast
Highway. It's a 20 minute drive north of Powell River and a ten minute drive from
Lund BC. |