First Nations Art Galleries and Totem Poles in Stanley Park

The Stanley Park Totem Poles in Vancouver's West End, BC (Canada).

Today was a day to play tourist in my own city, checking out some First Nations tourism spots in Vancouver, BC, mostly art galleries and the totem poles in Stanley Park.

There’s a great little First Nations gallery in North Vancouver called Khot La Cha Gallery (270 Whonoak Street, 604-987 3339). Unassumingly tucked off the main street, Khot La Ch is a second generation-owned shop that sells aboriginal artwork out of a two story house-like building with pebble cement floors and wooden walls.

Gorgeous jewellery (turquoise, precious stones, sterling silver and beadwork), traditional masks, drums, moccasins and many souvenirs line the packed shelves and walls.  

From here I headed back over the Lions Gate Bridge and into Stanley Park to see the totem poles. Lined up in front of a constant stream of camera-clad tourists, I had cycled or roller bladed by them so many times without actually stopping to look at them.

Coastal Peoples Gallery in Vancouver's Gastown, BC (Canada).

The colourful carvings stand proud, representing the largest First Nations group in BC, the Coast Salish people. Information panels sit in front of most of the totem poles and there are two placards with further info about the Coast Salish people.

First Nations Art Galleries in Vancouver
Continuing on into Gastown, my first stop was at the Coastal Peoples Fine Arts Gallery (312 Water Street, 604-684-9222). Intricate carvings, bold designs and handmade jewellery were presented within the exposed brick walls. Prices are heavy for most items (think $4,000 – $25,000 CDN) but the work is phenomenal.

A block away is the stunning Inuit Gallery of Vancouver (206 Cambie Street, 604-688-7323 or 1-888-615-8399). These historic buildings have floor to ceiling windows and exposed brick walls, all under very specific lighting.

I was happy to see work by artists from communities in Nunavut that I travelled to last year, like Pond Inlet, as well as a ton of artists from Cape Dorset. There are lesser-priced items here, but only because they’re smaller in size than at Coastal Peoples, not because of a lesser quality.

The Inuit Gallery of Vancouver in Gastown, BC (Canada).

What I Liked:

• First Nations culture runs beneath the surface of everything in Vancouver. It’s a wonderful way to see the city differently, while appreciating the importance of that ancient culture to our lives today.
• First Nations art galleries in Vancouver are top notch. There are many more in Gastown and along south Granville Street, so you can spend a whole day gallery hopping.
• This was a great intro for my next trip to the Bill Reid Gallery.