Lori Henry is a freelance travel writer based in Vancouver, Canada. She writes about cultural dance, indigenous cultures, outdoor adventures and wellness around the world.
Bill with the Sun Mask at the Squamish Lil'wat Centre in Whistler, BC (Canada).
Once I arrived in Whistler after the train ride, I made my way to the new Squamish Lil’wat Centre, an aboriginal museum space, with three other writers. Bill took us through the exhibits, telling us about the (surprising) harmony between the Squamish and Lil’wat people. His grandfather, an elder, made one of the canoes hanging in the Great Hall.
We then played around with cedar bark in the crafts area and tried to make bracelets. After many unsuccessful attempts by all of us, I was eventually able to make a pretty cute little ring, if I do say so myself (I’m still wearing it right now).
Also part of the tour (the $18.90 CAD admission price includes a guided tour if you want it) is a little drum and dance performance. The Squamish and Lil’wat nations use dance as an important part of storytelling and keeping their cultures alive.
In this one, though, they get the people on the tour to act as animals that the First Nations people revere and join in the dance (see video below).
Bill making cedar bark crafts at the Squamish Lil'wat Centre in Whistler, BC (Canada).
What I liked:
The building is beautiful.
A pithouse and longhouse are almost completed and will be nice additions to the centre.
The Istken Hall has been used for weddings and special events, and if you stand in the middle, you can hear yourself echo around the circular room.
A 20-minute film does a great job of introducing the First Nations people of the area- it’s really well done, not the cheesy kind sometimes found in tourist attractions.
A little café with fresh bannock and light meals is downstairs, which has partnered with the Four Seasons Hotel for its menu.
The gift shop downstairs has some really nice aboriginal artwork and souvenirs (I love the little baby moccasins).
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