British Columbia is a vast, beautiful landscape that has known the footsteps of Aboriginal people from time immemorial. The Aboriginal Tourism Association of BC offers many ways to discover Aboriginal culture throughout British Columbia. See Canadian First Nation artists carving a totem pole, explore traditional lands and waters with an Aboriginal guide, or enjoy and experience Aboriginal dance and music performances and many Aboriginal Pow Wows & festivals throughout the year.
< Click the image to the left to view a map of Aboriginal Tourism in British Columbia.
The First Nations of British Columbia, Canada welcome you!
British Columbia has known the footsteps of Aboriginal people from time immemorial. We are the indigenous peoples of this land whose traditions and culture remain strong, rich and diverse and whose life has been shaped by the land, oceans, climate and creatures within.
Our land is British Columbia. A vast beautiful landscape that is as diverse as its people. From the rocky shoreline carved by the ocean to the peaks of the highest mountains and the beautiful plains of the interiorthis is our home.
Here in BC you can watch native artists carve a totem pole, explore our traditional lands and waters with an Aboriginal guide, experience a traditional First Nations healing and purification lodge with a native elder, view exquisite Pacific Northwest native art in art galleries, cultural centers and museums, sample traditional foods and award-winning wines, relax in native-owned resorts, campgrounds, log cabins and bed & breakfast inns and even enjoy a round of golf on a native-owned championship golf course!
The Aboriginal Tourism Association of British Columbia (ATBC) and its members invite you to travel to British Columbia this year to experience our rich First Nations culture, traditions and warm hospitality.
Aboriginal
Siyamin Artist Cooperative
415 West Esplanade North Vancouver BC V7M 1A6
The Siyamin Artist Cooperative is a registered non-profit society owned by its members, Squamish Nation artists. Our mission is to promote and sell authentic Squamish Nation Art at fair market value in a respectful, culturally sensitive way. Visit our Kiosk in Park Royal Mall.
Aboriginal
Sarah's Haida Arts & Jewellry
387 Eagle Road Box 57 Masset BC V0T1M0 250.626.5560
11-5 Monday to Saturday 12-5 Sundays (Summer months only)
Situated in the Cape Mudge Village of
the We Wai Kai Nation, on Quadra Island.
Enjoy the Beautiful Treasures of the Sacred Potlatch Collection exhibited in the Main Gallery and Upper Gallery.
Allow approximately 45 minutes to fully enjoy the exhibits. Movies are shown throughout the day and may be enjoyed at your leisure in the Lower Gallery.
There are several Petroglyphs outside the Cultural Centre which were moved from their original location to preserve and protect them. There are also petroglyphs on the waterfront near the Ah-Wah-Q-a-Das across the street.
Make a Petroglyph Rubbing in the Lower Gallery. Fibreglass Casts were taken of the petroglyphs and these are located in the Lower Gallery of the Cultural Centre for your convenience.
HOURS OF OPERATION
Summer (May to Sept) Hours:
Tuesday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm
Aboriginal
Wilp Simgan Carving Shed
3100 Kalum Street Terrace BC V8G 4L1 250.635.8668
Come visit First Nisga'a Nations artists at work in the new Wilp Simgan Carving Shed. Watch First Nation Artists create their latest masterpiece in this Nisga'a guided workspace
Aboriginal
Culture Shock Interactive Gallery
010A Front Street PO Box 471 Alert Bay BC V0N 1A0 1 250 974 2484
Culture Shock Interactive Gallery in Alert Bay, B.C. is a unique experience designed to offer friendly access to the indigenous NAMGIS arts and culture. At this waterfront location, you can shop for one of a kind, locally made art, jewellery and clothing, watch award winning films about our culture while enjoying the best coffee in the island or take in the beautiful views on our cedar patio. Listen to storytelling by Ada (Grandmother), weave with Donna or enjoy a summer salmon barbecue. Always friendly and never boring, Culture Shock Interactive Gallery welcomes you to explore NAGMIS traditional arts and culture.
Aboriginal
Swans Suite Hotel - Victoria's Art Hotel
506 Pandora Avenue Victoria BC V8W 1N6 250.361.3310 800.668.7926 www.swanshotel.com
Restaurant 7am- 2am, Sun. 7am- Midnight
The art collection displayed throughout Swans Hotel is part of the Williams Collection; one of the largest privately owned art collections in Western Canada. This collection consists of paintings, sculptures, furniture and antiques that total approximately 1600 pieces. They include historical and contemporary Northwest Coast First Nation's art; two and three dimensional works by local and national artists, and furniture dating from the 17th to 20th century.
Visit the two-storey heritage home of George Little, "The Founder of Terrace." Rich in history and old world charm and refurbished to its original state, tourists can expect much from the George Little House . The house is home to work of local artists, Terrace souvenirs, as well as the First Nations Carving studio by the Terrace Local Nisga's Society.
Aboriginal
Gemma's First Nations Gifts & Souvenirs
340-4741 Lakelse Avenue Terrace BC V8G 1K1 250.635.5577 or 1.800.563.4362
From Kermodei Bear collectibles to handcrafted native art and home decor.
Aboriginal
Khot-La-Cha Art Gallery & Gift Shop
270 Whonoak Street North Vancouver BC V7P 1P3 604.987.3339
Khot-La-Cha features authentic Northwest artwork created by BC's finest native artists. Hand-carved cedar totem poles and plaques, unique feasting bowls, rattles and hand-tanned moccasins, exquisite hand-carved sterling silver and 14k gold jewellery. Visit our "Long House" Art Gallery and Gift Shop located on the Reserve, minutes away from the Lions Gate Bridge.
Aboriginal
Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site
PO Box 37 60 Second Beach Road, Skidegate Skidegate BC V0T 1S0 250.559.6330 www.pc.gc.ca/gwaiihaanas
Celebrate more than 10 000 years of Haida connection with the land and sea!
Gwaii Haanas contains the essence of the rugged beauty and ecological character of the Pacific coast. It is a celebration of more than ten thousand years of connection between land, sea and Haida culture. Visitors have an opportunity to witness a living culture, to observe nature and to experience solitude. For some visitors, this is a spiritual experience and results in a deep connection with the land, sea and people.
Aboriginal
Blackfish Gallery
22 Upper Heights, Kitamaat Village Kitimat BC 250-632-6469
9 am — 5 pm seven days a week or phone for an appointment
Contemporary and traditional Haisla Art
Gift Shop features wood carvings, Totem poles, masks,
plaques, and Haisla souvenirs. Available for commissioned works.
Aboriginal
Sammy Robinson Master Carver Gift Shop
416 Haisla Blvd., Kitamaat Village Kitimat BC 250-632-9790
9 am — 5 pm Mon - Fri
His stunning wood and metal carvings tell stories of the
Native history of Kitamaat and the Haisla First Nation.
Sammy’s coastal area is rich in native heritage with
totem poles in nature, parks and community settings.
Thunderbird Park was established in 1941 when a display of totem poles from the provincial museum's collection was set up on six vacant city lots at the corner of Bellville and Douglas streets in Victoria. By 1952, deterioration of the carvings had become a serious concern, and Anthropology Curator Wilson Duff initiated a pole restoration program. Mungo Martin, a Kwakwaka'wakw (Kwagu't) carver who had started a similar program at the University of British Columbia, was hired as chief carver. The original poles from Thunderbird Park were moved to inside storage and replaced by replica versions carved by Martin and others working under his direction, including Henry Hunt (who was married to Martin's adopted daughter) and Hunt's sons, Tony and Richard. The replacement poles were erected in the park over a number of years.
Enter Darlene Gait's world of dreams and inspiration by walking into One Moon Gallery on the Esquimalt Reserve in Victoira, B.C., where you can purchase originals and limited edition giclee prints from Darlene's unique perspective.
Come visit the gallery from 10am - 5 pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Other days of the week by appointment.
Aboriginal
Gift Gallery at Xa:ytem Longhouse
35087 Lougheed Highway Mission BC V2V 6T1 604.820.9725
Next to the Fraser River; seven minutes east of Mission on Highway 7 is a 9000 year old Coast Salish Village - home of the transformer stone, longhouse, interpretive centre, and best native gift gallery in the valley. You will find exquisite artifacts, gold and silver jewellery, bent wood boxes, carvings, drums, unique gifts and experiences.
Mon to Sat, 9 am to 5 pm Sun 12 am to 4 pm Winter Hours vary
This unique shop features local Northwest Coast Native art from paintings, logoed clothing, silver and gold jewelry to stunning hand carved masks. You can also find pottery, syrup, smoked salmon, t-shirts with photos of our famous Kermodei Bear or a native rendition of the world famous Salmon.
Unique, Authentic, Affordable.
Aboriginal
Sto:lo Artisan Centre
29 - 6014 Vedder Road Chilliwack BC 604.858.0009 www.stolocf.com
Over 70 First Nation artists create a diverse selection of handcrafted high quality Native artworks, including masks, paddles, carved boxes, paintings, prints, weavings, silver jewellery, beadwork, & music.
Open Monday — Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm.
Aboriginal
Nk'Mip Desert Cultural Centre - Osoyoos Indian Band
1000 Rancher Creek Road Osoyoos BC 250.495.7901 Toll Free 888.495.8555
Discover the Lands, the Legends, the Poeple. A stunning new First Nations cultural attraction.
Our 20,000 square-foot interpretative centre features interactive and fun activities for the whole family!
#311-355 Yellowhead Hwy Kamloops BC V2H 1H1 250.828.9779 www.secwepemc.org
At one time the Secwepemc people occupied one large Traditional territory covering approximately 145,000 square kilometers. In 1811, after European contact, the colonial government divided the Secwepemc people into 17 distinct groups with specific parcels of land designated to each.
Visit the Secwepemc Museum and Heritage Park and experience the rich cultural history of the Secwepemc People. Attractive museum exhibits incorporate the oral history and legends of the Secwepemc People along with historical photographs, illustrations and artefacts. Outdoor cultural displays in the 12-acre Native Heritage Park on the banks of the South Thompson River are a natural complement to the Museum. More than a kilometer of trails lead visitors through the archaeological remains of a 2000-year old Secwepemc winter village site, four reconstructed winter pit houses and a summer village.
Aboriginal
Spirits Of The West Coast Native Art Gallery
2926 Back Road Courtenay BC V9N 9G9 250.338.2120 Toll Free 1.877.338.2120
Our gallery offers you beautiful original Pacific Northwest Coast Native American Art and Jewelry. We have a wide variety of Haida Art, Kwakiutl Art, Coast Salish Art, Masks, Carvings, Prints, Argillite Sculptures and jewellery including gold and silver native bracelets, rings, pendants and Earrings.
Our personal contact with our native artists and masters from the Haida, Coast Salish and Kwakiutl Nations, allows us to offer commissioned pieces. Just give us a call and we will be happy to help fulfill your wishes.
Aboriginal
Ktunaxa Interpretive Centre
7777 Mission Road Cranbrook BC V1C 7E5 (250) 417-4001
Located at the famous St. Eugene Resort, this interpretive centre displays artifacts and details of the history and mythology of the Ktunaxa and the history of the resort. Once a residential school, this maganificent building was turned into an international destination resort by the Ktunaxa Nation in 2003. While visiting the centre, you will learn about the residential school period through exhibits and an informative documentary.
Aboriginal
Nisga'a Lisims Government Building
2000 Lisims Drive New Aiyansh BC 250.633.3000 Toll Free 1.866.633.0888 www.nisgaalisims.ca
Canada's Nisga'a Nation is represented by Nisga'a Lisims Government - a modern, forward-thinking administration based on traditional culture and values. Together, we have built a culture and economy that respects and protects our natural heritage.
Aboriginal
Kitlope Heritage Conservancy
Haisla Nation British Columbia 250.632.2020 Toll Free 1.877.424.7521
Discover, learn and enjoy the majesty of the world’s largest undeveloped coastal temperate rainforest. Relaxing in natural hotspings or spent time on the hot tub. Paddling or hiking to discover the history behind the grease trail. Excellent wildlife viewing in the area. Moose, deer, mountain goat, wolves and grizzly bear can be viewed throughout our territory.
Aboriginal
Spirit Bear Adventures
Spirit Bear Lodge Klemtu BC Toll Free 1.877.644.2346
Visit the Great Bear Rainforest, the largest intact temperate rainforest in the world. Explore the natural habitat of the Spirit Bear and home of the world’s only Kitasoo Spirit Bear Conservancy. Unique tours in the ancestral lands and traditional territory of the Kitasoo/Xai’xais First Nation.