Indigenous Cultural 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.

Know before you go: Many experiences are open seasonally and hours are subject to change. Please be sure to check online or call before visiting to ensure availability.

Kwantlen First Nation Cultural Tours – Fort Langley

For countless generations, the Kwantlen People and other local neighbouring Indigenous communities lived in villages along the lower Fraser. When in Fort Langley, join a cultural walking tour to learn about Kwantlen First Nation’s rich history, traditional knowledge, stories and songs.  Check the website for current tours and schedule.

Stó:lo Tourism – Chilliwack

Stó:lō (STOH-lo) territory is a cultural treasure within the Fraser Valley and into the Fraser Canyon, surrounded by majestic mountains and centred around the Fraser River. Immerse yourself in the unique Stó:lō history, culture, traditions, art, plants, collections and language through one of the many guided cultural tours or check out the newly renovated Stó:lō Interpretive Centre.

Tuckkwiowhum Heritage Village – Boston Bar

Tuckkwiowhum (Tuck-we-ohm) in the local language translates to “great berry picking place”. The area boasts rolling hills and lush forests of wild huckleberries, blueberries and medicinal plants. The Tuckkwiowhum Heritage Village offers you a chance to immerse yourself in Nlaka’pamux (Ingla-kap-ma) culture and history with a guided tour. Some highlights from the site include a subterranean pit house, summer lodges, smokehouse, food caches, and replicas of actual pictographs found in Nlaka’pamux territory. Tours and event hosting available upon request.

Stein Valley Nlaka’pamux Heritage Park

‘Stein’ comes from the Nlaka’pamux word “Stagyn”, meaning ‘hidden place’, referring to the obscurity of this key watershed, which has been important to Interior Coast Salish people for thousands of years, for both sustenance and spirituality, as evidenced by the large number of pictographs still visible today. Enjoy the more than 150km of trails and wilderness campsites, regardless if you are stopping in for an easy day hike in the lower valley or trekking into the backcountry on a multi-night trip.

Xwisten Experience Tours – Lillooet

Located on the site of their traditional Bridge River fishing grounds where every summer local St’át’imc (Stat-leeum) First Nations gather to dip-net sockeye salmon at the confluence of the Fraser and Bridge Rivers. Enjoy an award-winning guided tour of the archeological Xwisten Experience Tours village site, fishing rocks and take in a salmon drying and prepping demonstration. To complete the tour, partake in a delicious salmon BBQ or try some homemade bannock from the onsite Bearfoot Grill.

Splitrock (Sekw’el’was) Environmental – Lillooet

Tucked away in the community of  Sekw’el’was  (Splitrock) near Lillooet is Splitrock Environmental, where you can stop by and deepen your understanding of the environment around you. Take a guided traditional knowledge walk and understand the connection between St’at’imc culture and the land. Drop into the local plant nursery, purchase some ethnobotanical products, or take a walk on their beautiful boardwalk with views that will leave a lasting imprint. If you’re lucky you can listen to a traditional St’at’imc song performed by a Sekw’el’was hand drummer to welcome you to the area.

Historic Hat Creek – Cache Creek

Long before fur traders, prospectors, ranchers and settlers arrived, people of the northern Secwepemc (She-whep-m) Nation inhabited this area. Local Stuctwesemc (Stluck-TOW-uhsen) people from the Bonaparte Reserve have reconstructed traditional shelters, a ‘Kekuli’ pit house, hunting and fishing gear and cook pits. The Historic Hat Creek site was created to highlight,  and educate people on the  Secwepemc way of life and culture. Join an interpretive tour, play Secwepemc games or listen to traditional drumming.

Xat’sull Heritage Village – Soda Creek

Created to highlight,  and educate people on the diversity of  Indigenous peoples in  BC,  the Xat’sūll Heritage Village features a pit house and teepees, which are not traditionally part of the Secwepemc way of life. Join a guided tour or workshop, or participate in a sweat lodge ceremony. If you love mountain biking, the Xatśūll trail network now offers over 30km of trails with stunning views of the heritage village and the Fraser River.

barkerville HISTORIC TOWN & PARK

Dahooja, Weyt-kp, Hadih! Barkerville is located in the shared territory of seven nations: Lhtako, Nazko, Lhoosk’uz, Ulkatcho, ?Esdilagh, Xatśūll, Simpcw, and Lheidli. You are invited to learn our stories and our role in the gold rush.