Indigenous Experiences

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.

Highlights

• lelem’ Arts & Cultural Café & Kwantlen First Nation Cultural Tours – Fort Langley
• Stó:lō Tourism – Chilliwack
• Tuckkwiowhum Village – Boston Bar
• Stein Valley Heritage Park – Lytton
• ‘Q’əmcín Two Rivers Remix Festival – Lytton
• Xwisten  Experience Tours – Lillooet
• Splitrock (Sekw’el’was)  Environmental  –  Lillooet
• Historic Hat Creek – Cache  Creek
• Xatśūll Heritage Village – Soda  Creek
• Barkerville Historic Town & Park