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Indigenous Arts & Cultures

With 204 distinct First Nations in our province, Indigenous arts and cultures resonates across British Columbia. From major centres to smaller communities, Indigenous knowledge keepers share traditions with new generations.  This creative climate builds dialogue about cultural practices, stories of identity and resilience. The resulting works are a celebration of historic, traditional and contemporary artistic expression.

Indigenous cultural works span a wide range of media, telling stories through craft, function and arts.  From wood and stone carvings, glass engraving and metalwork, to painting, beadwork, fibre arts and more, Indigenous visual arts represent both traditional oral histories and contemporary expressions of identity. 

With over 30 languages and 60 dialects spoken among First Nations in British Columbia, the expression of Indigenous cultures through song, prose, theatre and dance provide an even greater celebration of Indigenous diversity to be shared across our communities. There are so many ways to explore Indigenous cultures in British Columbia! In addition to many ground-breaking galleries and museums, Indigenous artists from across the province continue to produce and collaborate on an incredible array of works. 

There are also many opportunities to enjoy immersive experiences, from festivals and musical performances to carving demonstrations and culinary celebrations.  Eco-tourism is another great way to experience Indigenous cultures, providing both restful retreats and opportunities to learn more about traditional lands and waters from a local guide. Regardless of your location on the unceded territories across British Columbia, experiencing Indigenous cultures is about learning a sense of place and the stories that come with it.  Whether you are planning a trip or want to learn more about Indigenous arts and cultures, Art-BC can provide you with all the details you need.  Wherever you go, you will find history, art, and culture with Art-BC.

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Indigenous Tourism BC

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TRANSFORMATIONAL, AUTHENTIC. Immersive Indigenous destinations and experiences are expansive and transformational. Augment your reality with an Indigenous point-of-view and see old places with new eyes. By their nature, Indigenous perspectives cannot be understood as a bystander or simple witness. Step out of ordinary time and daily routine with Indigenous hosts around BC. HEART OF THE LAND, HEART OF THE PEOPLE Read more...
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Culture Shock

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Gilakas’la  Welcome Culture Shock 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 Read more...
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DaVic Gallery of Native Canadian Arts

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Your Trusted and well-reviewed Online Art Gallery for authentic First Nations and Inuit Art. Proud accredited member of the Better Business Bureau specializing in contemporary Northwest Coast, Woodland and Inuit prints, drawings and paintings. Visit our online gallery for great selection of beautiful, meaningful, and highly collectible Native Art for your home and office.  Much Information is provided making your Read more...
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Explore Songhees

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It is here where our people have thrived since time immemorial… We invite you to join us in 2022 to experience indigenous culture and hospitality on our beautiful lands Visit us at Ship Point In Victoria’s Inner Harbour Ship Point and the surrounding harbour area offers lots of space to safely socially distance and we invite you to come down Read more...
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Haida Gwaii Museum at Kay Llangaay

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The Museum offers a fascinating look into Haida Gwaii culture from diverse perspectives that explores; Haida knowledge, scientific information, natural specimens, oral history and art all blend together in a fluid and constantly changing exhibit context. We work collaboratively with communities and organizations to provide an inspiring and holistic learning experience of all things Haida Gwaii. The Haida Gwai Museum Read more...
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Heaven n’ Earth Native Art

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Mother and daughter team, Teresa Walker and Brook Tobacco make authentic handmade Indigenous products. Their shop features items such as mixed media beadwork, pine needle, birch bark, cedar bark jewelry, and baskets. They also have an assortment of drums, rattles, leatherwork, bone, semi-precious stones and medicinal products. From the Nlhazkampx, Okanagan, Lakota, and Cree nations. Read more...
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House of Sim-Oi-Ghets

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Shop your local Northwest Coast First Nations owned & operated Gift Store, located 5km West of Terrace BC on HWY 16W for Manitobah Mukluks, Grant Pauls, Chloe Angus, Pendleton Woolen Mills, Silver Jewelry and many more local artists! The arts and craft gift shop was originally built and opened in 1971 with a general store. In 1995 the Kitsumkalum Community Read more...
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Inuit Gallery

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Founded in 1979, the Inuit Gallery has been dedicated to promoting Inuit, Northwest Coast Indigenous and Canadian art. The gallery is known for presenting groundbreaking exhibitions, participating in international art fairs and placing works in major museum and private collections worldwide. The gallery features sculpture and graphics by established, senior artists as well as new art works by the talented Read more...
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Kitimat Museum & Archives

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Explore town history with the coming of Alcan’s aluminum smelter in the 1950s, early valley settlement, and Haisla traditional arts and technology. Additional displays feature regional geology, flora, and fauna. Historical Collection of videos, courtesy of Rio Tinto BC Works, showcasing the early years of the original Kitimat Project. Nechako Survey – (Historical Collection circa 1950) Prelude to Kitimat – Read more...
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Ksan Historical Village And Museum

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Found within Gitxsan Territory, Ksan Historical Village stands where the village of Gitanmaax has existed for centuries. It is the desire of Ksan to preserve and truthfully portray the lifestyle of the people who have always lived here. ‘Ksan Historical Village and Museum are located near the ancient village of Gitanmaax,  at the confluence of the Bulkley and Skeena Rivers Read more...
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Mark Loria Gallery

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Mark Loria Gallery is one of the leading indigenous art galleries in the world specializing in contemporary art from the Northwest Coast of Canada. Based in downtown Victoria, BC – and grateful to be on the traditional territories of the Lekwungen-speaking peoples – The gallery produces four to six new exhibitions every year, supplemented by ongoing new works by gallery Read more...
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Museum of Northern BC

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Enter the Museum of Northern BC in Prince Rupert and experience the beauty of Northwest Coast architecture and the rich traditions of the Tsimshian First Nation. Located overlooking Prince Rupert Harbour, the Museum is renowned for its spectacular collection of timeless art, that brings to life the history and culture of the Northwest Coast. The Museum also features the dramatic Read more...
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Muskwa Gallery

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Walking to stores for usual or occasional needs is not always everyone’s preference, but it is an unavoidable part of modern life for most of us. Muskwa Gallery & Indian Crafts conducts business to serve visitors who come here while shopping and would be ready to buy art and handiwork. You can learn more info if you call 1-604-869-5000. This Read more...
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Nisga’a Museum / Hli Goothl Wilp Adokshl Nisga’a

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Welcome to Hli Goothl Wilp-Adokshl Nisga’a, a name representing the four tribes that make up the Nisga’a Nation. The museum displays artifacts of all four peoples within its permanent exhibition,  an assemblage of 300+ art objects that left the Nass Valley in the latter part of the 19th Century and early part of the 20th Century. During the struggle for Read more...
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Nisga’a Nation

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In 2000, the landmark Nisga’a Final Agreement went into effect, heralding a new relationship between Canada and its Aboriginal First Nations. The treaty recognizes Nisga’a Lands and the Nisga’a people’s right to self-government. Built on our traditional culture, Nisga’a Lisims Government is the modern, democratically-elected government of the Nisga’a Nation. Proud British Columbians and Canadians, Nisga’a citizens are responsible for Read more...
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Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre

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Way’. We welcome you to our website. You are invited to more than just visit us. You are invited to join us to experience and learn about our lands, our legends and our people. See legends come alive in two multi-sensory theatre experiences. Explore the “Living Lands” outdoor exhibit and sculpture gallery. Smell the wild sage along our network of Read more...
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North Shore | Indigenous Experiences

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On the North Shore, you will find two First Nations communities the Tsleil-Waututh and Squamish Nations who provide the chance to gain insight into their ancient cultures with tours, storytelling, galleries, and Indigenous activities and experiences. Híwus Feasthouse Kia’palano Whey-ah-Wichen Canoe Festival Mr. Bannock Read more...
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Sncəwips Heritage Museum

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The Sncəwips Heritage Museum provides a protected place for syilx/Okanagan culture and heritage. Our museum creates space for and elevates the voices of our community members through exhibitions, tours, and programs. Sncəwips fosters an open, honest, and authentic environment that allows all visitors of the Okanagan to experience the collections, histories, and oral stories of the syilx/Okanagan people from a syilx/Okanagan perspective. We Read more...
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Spirits of the West Coast Art Gallery

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At Spirits of the West Coast Art Gallery we offer a unique and authentic Indigenous experience to our visitors and customers. Our focus is on hand-made artwork and jewelry by skilled Northwest Coast Indigenous artists of Haida, Kwakwaka’wakw, Coast Salish and West Coast decent who live within their Indigenous communities and are actively involved in their cultures. Our goal is to uplift Read more...
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Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre in Whistler

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The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre is the first centre of its kind in Canada, sharing what our two Nations have in common and what makes each unique. The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre showcases permanent and feature exhibit spaces, a gift shop, café, and a full catering and events department for group bookings. Guided tours are included in museum admission on the hour, every hour, with a welcome Read more...
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Tems Swiya Museum

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We are located uniquely at the centre of the Sunshine Coast.  We are a very proud museum as it is managed by our Shishalh people.  We give a in depth tour, telling our history and culture to all that enter.  The museum artifacts are found in our land, thus giving it the name Tems Swiya which translates to Our World Read more...
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U’mista Cultural Centre

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Free cultural activities Tues.-Sat. in July/Aug. U’mista tells an epic story of resistance and resilience and is considered a “must-see” when visiting the region.  The Centre houses a world-famous collection of repatriated Kwakwaka‘wakw ceremonial regalia and includes galleries and a gift shop with hand-made jewelry and carvings by Kwakwaka’wakw artists. Learn about U’mista and the potlatch: https://umistapotlatch.ca   Read more...
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Wei Wai Kum House of Treasures

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We have something for everyone and for every budget. Whether you are looking for a unique treasure for yourself or are buying for someone else, your senses will be dazzled when you walk into to our store – a magnificent contemporary interpretation of a First Nations Big House. With 18 years’ experience in offering beautiful things, we have selected our Read more...

Upcoming Community Events

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Courses & Workshops @ Fibreworks Studio & Gallery

Date:
June 7, 2022
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June 5, 2023
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Coming spring 2022. Instructors & dates to be determined. Please contact the gallery at info(at)fibreworksgallery.com for registration information. Master Weaver Level One The foundation class for the Artisan designation of the Master Weaver Program. It provides the basis for an ongoing exploration into weave structures, colour & design, and focuses on refining skills with materials and equipment. Master Weaver Level Read more...
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Port Moody Workshop Guide

Date:
November 1, 2022
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December 30, 2023
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EXPLORE YOUR CREATIVITY WITH A CLASS AT POMOARTS We offer classes for all ages and ability levels in a wide range of artistic mediums. Browse our programs, or check out our seasonal program guide! Note: If you notice a discrepency between a PRINTED version versus our ONLINE program guide, please know that the online version is the most up to Read more...
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Fibre & Textile Art Classes | Place des Arts

Date:
January 1, 2023
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December 31, 2023
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Check out the full list of workshops here Our fibre arts classes explore weaving, felting, spinning and dyeing and other fibre arts. Students gain hands-on experience while developing fine motor skills, colour sense and learn how textiles are created. Read more...
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Ceramics, Pottery and Sculpture @Place des Arts

Date:
January 1, 2023
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December 31, 2023
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Find full list of workshops here Kids love getting their hands in the mud in our Clay Play handbuilding classes, and teens and adults can develop and hone skills in handbuilding or wheelthrowing. Read more...
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Downtown Langley Mural Walk

Date:
January 1, 2023
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May 11, 2024
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We are proud to watch thousands of people that come to Downtown Langley City annually to take part in our beautiful Downtown Langley Mural Walk Mural Walk | Downtown Langley. This is a family-friendly activity and it’s also perfect for date-night or something fun to do with your friends. Our Mural Walk features 25 one-of-a-kind, professional murals all within walking Read more...
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Vancouver Island North Art Tour

Date:
January 1, 2023
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December 30, 2023
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Creating arts and crafts in all imaginable disciplines is one productive way that North Islanders make use of their long winter nights. As a result, there is a remarkable range of work on display in galleries and home studios throughout the region. Masks, totems, rattles and exquisite carvings of animals and spirit creatures is a centuries-old tradition for the Kwakwaka’wakw Read more...
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Sunshine Coast Purple Banner Studio Tour

Date:
January 1, 2023
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December 23, 2023
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YEAR ROUND TOUR OF ARTISTS’ STUDIOS Look for the flying PURPLE BANNERS all along the Sunshine Coast from Langdale to Powell River. Wherever you see a PURPLE BANNER, the arts are at work. In many cases, but not always, the banner is an invitation to drop in. Please refer to the specific listing to determine whether an appointment is required. Read more...
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First Saturday Open Art Studios

Date:
January 7, 2023
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December 2, 2023
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First Saturday Open Art Studios is a free, monthly event that began in 2010 and can be found in various locations across the Lower Mainland. Every first Saturday noon to five pm, over 85 individual artists and art collectives open their workshops for you to enjoy! Be inspired by original art or buy your new, favorite piece directly from a local artist. Read more...
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Arts & Culture in BC

    • Nanaimo’s Maple Sugar Festival
    • Steveston Salmon Festival
    • Powell Street Festival
    • Harrison Hot Springs
    • Anvil Centre
    • Port Theatre
    • Maple Syrup Festival
    • Gallery 7 Abbotsford
    • Chetwynd
    • Bill Reid Gallery
    • Vancouver Summer Festivals 2023
    • Festivals BC 2023
    • Richmond BC
    • Kaslo Jazz Festival 2023
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