**First Nations have protected these lands since time immemorial.**
**We invite you to experience them *in a good way*.**

The First Welcome

How it works

About The Trail

Frequently Asked Questions

Places

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The self Guided walking tours in the Vancouver Coast &amp; Mountains region are more than just a cultural journey—they is an invitation to experience the depth and vibrancy of Indigenous tourism in British Columbia. Developed and led by Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC), this initiative highlights Indigenous welcome poles, figures, and art installations, while connecting travelers with Indigenous-owned businesses, cultural centers, and experiences.

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Land Acknowledgment

<h3>Who we are</h3>We are səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation), “People of the Inlet.” According to archaeological evidence and our oral history, Tsleil-Waututh peoples have lived in our traditional territory for thousands of years. The heart of our community is now centred on səlilwət (Burrard Inlet), between Maplewood Flats and Deep Cove in North Vancouver, but traditional use studies and archaeological evidence show our Ancestors occupied a vast area, about 1,865 square kilometres (190,000 hectares). Our traditional territory encompasses wilderness watersheds northwards to Mount Garibaldi, Coquitlam Lake in the east, and Howe Sound to the west.<h3>What you will see</h3>Follow the Tsleil-Waututh itinerary and you'll travel the full breadth of the People of the Inlet's territory — from the shores of Burrard Inlet at Belcarra, where TsuKwalton's welcome poles carry ancient stories of serpents and salmon, to Deer Lake Park in Burnaby, where the Nation's origin story stands in cedar. Along the way: carved benches in a sheltered cove, fritted glass crests above a fire station, an aluminum installation at a North Shore transit hub, and a welcome pole honouring Chief Dan George. Five artists. Twelve sites. The Tsleil-Waututh Nation has called this territory home since time immemorial. The welcome has always been here.

səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)

North Vancouver, BC

ʔəm̓i ce:p kʷətxʷiləm (We welcome you)xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) ancestors have lived throughout and stewarded the Fraser River estuary for thousands of years. The name xʷməθkʷəy̓əm relates back to the flowering plant,&nbsp;məθkʷəy̓, which once abundantly grew throughout xʷməθkʷəy̓əm territory.&nbsp;Our oral history, passed on from generation to generation, explains how we became known as xʷməθkʷəy̓əm&nbsp;– place where the&nbsp;məθkʷəy̓&nbsp;grows.Today, portions of xʷməθkʷəy̓əm territory are called Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, New Westminster, Delta, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Surrey, UBC Endowment Lands, YVR Airport and Coquitlam.Visitors are welcome to experience our living culture, listen to our stories and visit xʷməθkʷəy̓əm cultural landmarks.To learn more about the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm people &amp; the territory <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.musqueam.bc.ca/">CLICK HERE</a> to visit their website

xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam)

Metro Vancouver, BC