It is no longer rhetoric. Anyone wanting to work on British Columbia’s land base or in communities needs to understand the critical role that First Nations play not only in the success of their work, but also they recognize and act upon the moral obligation to reach out, support and come to know the rich heritage of these first peoples. Terasen Gas invested in the Aboriginal Tourism Association’s Kla-how-ya exhibit at the Pan Pacific for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Why?

Native artist and dancer Andy Everson is deeply involved with his culture, but his path wasn't an easy one because of a past law in Canada that stigmatized aboriginal women who married non-aboriginal men.

Art form is gaining a following among first nations and non-aboriginals alike.

British Columbia’s First Nations peoples and their tourism industry were on the world stage during the 2010 Games. Now that the cauldron’s close to being extinguished, the Aboriginal Tourism Association of British Columbia (AtBC) is taking stock of its new found fame and shifting its focus to the future.

Grandeur of the potlatch and other rituals remembered at the Pan Pacific Hotel.

First Nations culture and heritage is alive on the fashion catwalks of the world as internationally-acclaimed designers Dorothy Grant and Pam Baker weave their culture into wearable art pieces featured in exhibitions, galleries and museums world wide.

Sales are brisk at these Olympic Games for all things First Nations: cedar carvings, Salish weaving, Kwakwaka'wakw silver and masks, drums and high-end Haida clothing.

Video of Pat Bruderer demonstrating birch bark biting.

"For the next 10 days, we will be raising awareness of aboriginal cuisine and the aboriginal culinary team," said Genaille, who also teaches aboriginal culinary arts at Vancouver Community College.

Olson is one of the leaders of modern aboriginal cuisine in Canada. And in Vancouver, aboriginal restaurants are waiting in the wings. There are culinary institutes training chefs in traditional methods and the Olympics shine a spotlight on contemporary aboriginal cuisine.

A Media specific showcase of colourful First Nations cultural traditions found in British Columbia with the opportunity to speak with tourism operators who provide these cultural experiences for visitors from around the world.

Only three people in the world still practise the sacred art of birch bark biting, a tradition that spanned North America millennia ago, from Alaska to Labrador to the Chippewa territory of the U.S. Midwest.

The Vancouver Sun ran an article featuring AtBC Stakeholders who are part of the Aboriginal Artisan Village and Business Showcase.

Video footage from the the February 12 Media event at the Kla-how-ya Village at the Pan Pacific Hotel.

Today's Vancouver Sun ran an article featuring AtBC's 2010 Games Time programming and detailing all the progress made by AtBC during the games.

Last night more than 600 media and special guests attended an Aboriginal feast and opening of the AtBC Kla-how-ya (meaning “welcome”) exhibit that has transformed the lobby of the Pan Pacific into an Aboriginal village site complete with a 40 foot war canoe carved from a 500 year old cedar tree.

AtBC is pleased to release their 2010 Winter Games Map “When and Where to Find Aboriginal Experiences” that provides individuals the AtBC 17-day showcase key event locations occurring during the games.

From February 12-28, the lobby of the Pan Pacific Hotel will be transformed into an Aboriginal village called “Kla-how-ya”, a word recognized by Aboriginal Nations meaning “welcome”. A partnership between the Aboriginal Tourism Association of BC (AtBC), the Pan Pacific Hotel and Terasen Gas, the stunning 16-day showcase of Aboriginal art, performances, and culture is free to residents and visitors during the upcoming 2010 Games.

The Aboriginal Tourism Association of British Columbia is making it easier for visitors to identify the most authentic, accurate and respectful representations of First Nations and Métis culture by launching its “Authentic Aboriginal” cultural authenticity program.

AtBC is featured in the January issue of Quill and Drum Magazine. The article covers the growth in British Columbia's Aboriginal tourism industry and the steps AtBC is taking to carry that momentum forward into the future.

British Columbia’s Aboriginal Tourism Association is applauding the awarding of Approved Destination Status to Canada by the Government of China, calling the announcement “tremendous news for Aboriginal tourism and the revitalization of Aboriginal culture in British Columbia.”