The largest island off the Pacific Coast of continental North America, Vancouver Island is nine times larger than Long Island, New York, and larger than many European and Asian countries. The region is home to Victoria, the capital of British Columbia as well as world-renowned Butchart Gardens, the West Coast Trail, beaches, golf courses, wineries, farms, the pastoral Gulf Islands and a year-round temperate climate. On the island you can experience whale watching, visit cultural centres, go skiing, surfing, kayaking and hike through virgin rainforests.

Before there were cities, wineries and golf courses in this area of BC, there were First Nations villages. The Coast Salish, Nuu-chah-nulth and KwakwakawÂ’akw lived in areas where the ocean provided them with all the food our ancestors could eat and the mild climate of the temperate rainforest meant that edible plants provided harvest throughout much of the year. The food came to them, eliminating the need to migrate to follow herds, so their houses were large permanent structures, often facing outward to the ocean, the food source and avenue of transportation. This ease of survival ensured the people had enough leisure time to develop richly complex art forms.

Today, the First Nations people of Vancouver Island tell their stories through cultural presentations, art, adventure experiences, and interpretive centers. Whether telling the stories of the Potlatch reclaimed, proudly showing totem poles, displaying the works of world class artists in local galleries, performing stories in dance, hosting guests in their own resort, or taking them on canoe rides, the First Nations of Vancouver Island have many stories to tell and many experiences to share.

Visit the Vancouver Island area of BC and experience the hospitality and culture of the Coast Salish, Nuu-chah-nulth and KwakwakawÂ’akw First Nations.