Indigenous Experiences

Immerse yourself in living Indigenous culture along the Gold Rush Trail, home to the story keepers of this place and the original custodians of this land

Gold is not the only treasure found on the trail. The rich history of civilizations, diverse cultures, languages and traditions that came before us also come to life along the way. Indigenous culture can be seen woven into the fabric of the trail and experienced by visitors in multiple ways. Indigenous rodeos and pow wows offer visitors a chance to munch on fresh, hot bannock and slurp hooshum, a traditional dessert made from whipped Soopolallie (also known as Soapberry) berries. For art aficionados, many of the galleries along the trail feature the works of local Indigenous artists. Indigenous heritage sites at Tuckkwiowhum (tuck-we-ohm), Xatśūll (hat-sull), and Xwisten (hoysh-ten) all offer interpretive and informational tours, as well as traditional culinary experiences (be sure to book in advance). From the Kwantlen at Fort Langley; the Stó:lō (STOH-lo), from the Fraser Valley and into the Fraser Canyon, the St’át’imc (stat-lee-um), from southwest of the Fraser; Nlaka’pamux (ing-khla-kap-muh) of the southern Fraser Canyon; the Carrier, who occupied the sub-boreal northern area of the Cariboo Chilcotin and the Secwepemc (shi-huep-muh-k), whose historical lands lie east of the Fraser River.