Welcome to the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region—a diverse landscape of saltwater, ancient cedar forests, and soaring alpine peaks that have been nurtured by Indigenous hands since time immemorial.

First Welcome Trail

Communities

Trails

Points of Interest

About The Trail

Frequently Asked Questions

About

A self-guided journey through cultural connection

Places

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Land Acknowledgment

Whistler

Tofino

New Aiyansh

Sidney

Denny Island

Vancouver

West Vancouver

Cranbrook

Chase

West Kelowna

Osoyoos

Oliver

Riske Creek

Campbell River

Skidegate

Chilliwack

Richmond

Belcarra

North Vancouver

Cultus Lake

Burnaby

Fairmont Hot Springs

Masset

Port Hardy

Tlell

Alert Bay

Port Renfrew

Lund

Ucluelet

Courtenay

Kyuquot

Williams Lake

Quathiaski Cove

Agassiz

Terrace

Radium Hot Springs

Soda Creek

Suquash

Lillooet

Boston Bar

Laxgalts'ap, New Aiyansh

Dease Lake

Fair Harbour

Penticton

Port Alberni

Aiyansh

Clearwater

Logan Lake

Lone Butte

Bella Coola

Merritt

Kamloops

Kelowna

Vernon

'Ksan

Bamfield

Lytton

Lantzville

Pender Island

Seton Portage

Abbotsford

Daajing Giids

Echo Bay

Burns Lake

Victoria

Bella Bella

Hanceville

Haida Gwaii

Whaletown

Kincolith

Langley Twp

Prince Geroge

Revelstoke

Prince Rupert

Malakwa

Nanaimo

Cawston

Gold River

Klemtu

Clinton

Nemaiah Valley

Port McNeill

Black Creek

Ainsworth

Prince George

Witset

Nazko

Sechelt

New Westminster

Squamish

səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)

xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam)

Liǧʷiɫdaxʷ Peoples

Shíshálh Nation

Art Galleries and Studios

Heritage Sites

museums & cultural centres

Public Art

Authentic Indigenous

Distilleries & Breweries

Restaurants & Eateries

Wineries

Coast Salish

Kwakwaka'wakw

Musgamakw Dzawada’enuxw Nation

Musqueam

Sto'lo

Tsleil-Waututh

Bike Rentals & Tours

Fishing

Golf

Hiking & Walking

Hunting

Paddling

Retail

cabins & rvs

campgrounds

hotels & motels

lodges & resorts

Hot Springs

Spas

Bear viewing

Whale Watching

<a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://slcc.ca/">The Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Líḻwat7ul Cultural Centre (SLCC)</a> in Whistler is an Indigenous-owned First Nations Museum, art gallery, gift shop, and café, offering guests the opportunity to experience stories and artifacts from the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and the Lil̓wat7úl Nations. Opened in 2008, the award-winning cultural centre blends traditional Squamish Longhouse architecture with Lil’wat Istken design. The facility, designed to evoke a traditional Squamish longhouse and Lil’wat Istken, serves as a hub for education and cultural exchange, showcasing distinctive carved house posts, canoes, spindle whorls, weaving, regalia, bold artwork, and artifacts throughout the museum and galleries. Visitors engage with Cultural Ambassadors through traditional drum songs, inspiring short films, and guided museum tours, immersing themselves in the heritage of the two distinct cultures.

Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre

Experience the mythical power of Heiltsuk traditional territory at Shearwater Resort. Stay in rustic lodge rooms overlooking the ocean, savor West Coast cuisine with Indigenous flair, and embark on eco tours or fishing trips in the stunning coastal wildlife haven.

Shearwater Resort | Indigenous Wilderness Resort

Immerse yourself in Heiltsuk hospitality at our wilderness resort. Explore eco tours, fishing trips, and cozy accommodations with Indigenous influences.

Discover a deeper connection at Shearwater Resort

The Bill Reid Gallery is the only public Gallery in Canada dedicated to contemporary Indigenous Northwest Coast Art.As a prominent institution located in downtown Vancouver, the gallery is committed to celebrating Haida master artist Bill Reid’s remarkable legacy and the rich artistic traditions of the Northwest Coast while fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for contemporary Indigenous art. Visitors to the gallery can experience the Bill Reid SFU Art Collection and a series of dynamic exhibitions and programs showcasing contemporary Indigenous artists’ remarkable work. Their Gallery Shop features works and merchandise made by and/or designed by emerging and established Northwest Coast artists.Bill Reid Gallery is centrally located in Vancouver within a short distance from the Canada Lines City Centre Station in Pacific Centre or the Millennium/Expo Lines Burrard Station.

Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art

Established in 1991, the Spirit Gallery in West Vancouvers Horseshoe Bay is proud to offer a beautiful collection of West Coast Native Art. The blend of contemporary and traditional work includes gold and silver jewellery, unique furniture and home accents, fine art prints, Inuit art and hand carved masks, bentwood boxes and gifts. For those looking for something truly unique in West Coast Native Art, Spirit Gallery can arrange private commissions including totem poles, furniture, panels and doors. Close relationships with renowned First Nations artists allow for the creation of one-of-a-kind pieces that tell your personal story of family, an individual or business. Located in Horseshoe Bay, West Vancouver, British Columbia, we are only steps from the picturesque waterfront, an array of charming shops and friendly cafes. We welcome you to explore our website and visit us in person at 6408 Bay Street, West Vancouver.

Spirit Gallery

The Musqueam Cultural Education Resource Centre and Museum features historical objects, contemporary art and a place to share Musqueam history and culture through song, stories, tours and activities. General admission $5. Guided group tours of the land and museum $300 (by appointment) land tours include the Chinese Market Gardens and the special relationship between the Chinese and Musqueam.

Musqueam Cultural Centre

Owned by Nuu-Chah-Nulth Nation Hereditary Chief Lewis George and his wife, Cathy, the House of Himwitsa Native Art Gallery is located in Downtown Tofino, BC. Himwitsa, a name woven with wisdom, echoes the ancient tongues of the Nuu-Chah-Nulth people, symbolizing the passing of knowledge from revered elders to the eager hearts of youth. From carvings to jewellery to weaving, The Himwitsa Gallery brings together the best of local First Nations artisans to celebrate the beauty of the natural surroundings and the richness of First Nations culture.

House of Himwitsa Native Art Gallery

The female Coast Salish Welcoming Figure is a 300-year-old red cedar tree that comes from the Squamish Territory and was brought forward with a respectful ceremony of gratitude for this project. She stands as a testament to bring education and reconciliation together, as a way to move forward, for all multi-cultural communities to learn the importance of relationship building.She represents our grandmothers, mothers, aunties, sisters and daughters here on the West Coast of Vancouver, BC and on the unceded Coast Salish territory. She also encompasses this representation for other First Nations and non-First Nations women.&nbsp;At the top of the Welcome Figure is a Coast Salish killer whale. The whale represents the Salish Sea, where there is salmon, a traditional food source and sustenance for the people on the West Coast. The design of the whale has a warrior face in place of the blow hole to signify the strong relationship between the warrior and killer whale from past transformation legends. The red and black paint used on the whale are traditional Indigenous colours and the copper represents healing.At the bottom of the Welcome Figure is a women wearing a traditional cedar hat and a long cedar blanket with Coast Salish form lines. The additional designs on the cedar blanket include colours and art forms from the Cree and Ojibwa cultures to respect other First Nations’ presence. The female Coast Salish welcoming figure is a strong woman who carries openness to all cultures and respectful teachings.

Female Welcome Figure

In Musqueam culture, Welcome Figures welcome visitors to our territory. The original poles were house posts and placed at the entrances of our house - right at the doorway inviting you in, welcoming you. The Welcome Figures create a visible and welcoming presence to Indigenous and non-Indigenous staff, parents and students who visit the Education Centre.

Honoring the Matriarchs of the West Coast

Spindle Whorl (Flight) - YVR Airport

This pole honours Zac George's grandfather, Chief Dan George, who was chief of Tsleil-Waututh First Nation as well as author and Academy Award-nominated actor. Chief Dan George is descended from the wolf clan. The wolf is particularly important animal to the Tseil-Waututh people, according to their traditional story of origin. The carving features a killer whale, an animal honoured by the Tsleil-Waututh people. In times past, the killer whale would travel freely through the waters of the Burrard Inlet, part of the traditional territory of the Tsleil-Waututh, who are known as the “people of the Inlet”.

Chief Dan George Welcome Pole - Pacific Coliseum

Dreamweaver Pole - Skwachays Lodge

Serpent Slayer Located at təmtəmíxʷtən (Belcarra Regional Park)Long ago, as the waters of the great flood receded, sʔi:ɬqəy̓ (the great two-headed serpent) lay across səl̓ilwət (Burrard Inlet). sʔi:ɬqəy̓ was a sƛeləqəm (powerful being) and all other living creatures feared and avoided it at all costs. Its gaze was more deadly than the fire from lightning. One day, a young səl̓ilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh or person of the inlet) boy living at təmtəmíxʷtən was swept away by a seal while swimming alone as his sister watched. The seals began to raise him as their own. The sea world prepped the boy to become a great warrior who would face the most difficult task: slaying sʔi:ɬqəy̓. After a decade of travelling the world, training, learning, and living with his kin of the sea kingdom, he returned to təmtəmíxʷtən, ready to fight the giant two-headed serpent. This was a gruesome battle and required the warrior to use carefully prepared arrows laced with pitch from a special tree. He struck the serpent twice, one arrow to each head. The serpent fell to its death and the warrior saved the land. After his great battle with sʔi:ɬqəy̓, the warrior returned to təmtəmíxʷtən and stabbed the ground with the two-headed serpent’s fang, opening a freshwater spring and sparing his people from having to travel for their water.

“Serpent Slayer” welcome pole at təmtəmíxʷtən (Belcarra Regional Park)

“Serpent Slayer” welcome pole at təmtəmíxʷtən (Belcarra Regional Park) carved by TsuKwalton Jonas Jones, Tsleil-Waututh artist and Member.

wacəq II (1770-1840) was a Great Chief of səl̓ilwət (Burrard Inlet) with his primary residence at təmtəmíxʷtən (Belcarra). Like his father, he had a close relationship with the natural world. He had a particularly strong connection with marine life. He once came upon two young boys throwing rocks at spawning sce:ɬtən (salmon) in ʔənlil̕wət (Indian River). To teach the boys a lesson about their connection to the sce:ɬtən, he asked the sce:ɬtən to leave the river. It was spawning season and ʔənlil̕wət was usually so full of sce:ɬtən, one could practically walk across it. Distressed, the people pleaded with wacəq II, and he asked the sce:ɬtən to return to ʔənlil̕wət. wacəq II was also a proficient hunter and specially trained warrior. He defended səl̓ilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) Territory from attacks by other First Nations. He met his fate at the hands of several Kwakwaka’wakw arrows while defending ʔənlil̓wətaɬ (Inlailawatash, a village near the mouth of the Indian River). Like his father and the leaders who preceded them, he was wrapped in cedar bark and placed in a traditional tree burial on an island near təmtəmíxʷtən. wacəq II was also a proficient hunter and specially trained warrior. He defended səl̓ilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) Territory from attacks by other First Nations. He met his fate at the hands of several Kwakwaka’wakw arrows while defending ʔənlil̓wətaɬ (Inlailawatash, a village near the mouth of the Indian River). Like his father and the leaders who preceded them, he was wrapped in cedar bark and placed in a traditional tree burial on an island near təmtəmíxʷtən. wacəq II was also a proficient hunter and specially trained warrior. He defended səl̓ilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) Territory from attacks by other First Nations. He met his fate at the hands of several Kwakwaka’wakw arrows while defending ʔənlil̓wətaɬ (Inlailawatash, a village near the mouth of the Indian River). Like his father and the leaders who preceded them, he was wrapped in cedar bark and placed in a traditional tree burial on an island near təmtəmíxʷtən.

“Return of the Orca” Welcome pole at Whey-ah-Wichen (Cates Park)

Return of the Orca” Welcome pole at Whey-ah-Wichen (Cates Park) in North Vancouver, carved by TsuKwalton Jonas Jones, Tsleil-Waututh artist and Member.

Totem Pole - Cultus Lake Parkboard

Jordan's Totem Pole - Jordans Flooring Outlet

"Four pillars with images that move across each one to form “a single larger image of humans in canoes, symbolizing Indigenous belief systems regarding the values of peace, caretaking and togetherness.”

Rise and Fall - 4711 Hazel Street, Burnaby BC

Located in Osoyoos, BC, the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre (in-ka-meep) is operated by the Osoyoos Indian Band. The state-of-the-art interpretive centre offers interactive learning with hands-on exhibits, education stations, and two multi-sensory theatre experiences. Visitors can explore the “Living Lands” outdoor exhibit, admire sculptures, walk trails through sage and antelope-brush habitats, and enjoy views from the Chief’s Lookout. The 1,600-acre desert conservation area preserves the largest remnant of the Great American Desert and its unique ecology and wildlife, including the Rattlesnake. Experience the legends of Sen’klip (Coyote), come alive, engage with knowledgeable interpreters, and learn about the living culture of the Okanagan people. The Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre celebrates the past, present, and future of the Sylix Peoples and Osoyoos Indian Band’s vibrant culture.

Nk'Mip Cultural Centre