PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release	July 13 , 2006
Weave a basket, Watch a carver, Welcome the dancers ABORIGINAL MUSEUMS AND CULTURAL CENTRES ARE ALIVE!
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada --- Dust seldom settles at the numerous British Columbia First Nations Museums and Cultural Centres. It is a living history of art, language, culture and traditions, which welcome visitors for a first hand experience. Story telling, demonstrations of totem pole carving and beading, opportunities to learn basket weaving and to tour traditional villages are offered along with displays of artifacts. Throughout the province native bands enjoy success in family destination tourism, working as stewards of the land and relaying their history. The new 20,000-square-foot state-of-the-art Nk'Mip Desert Cultural Centre in Osoyoos blends indoor and outdoor ga! lleries with interactive stations and hands-on displays. Guests witness live camera feedings of nesting bats, peek into a rattlesnake hotel, dig for artifacts, or settle into a tule mat tepee for storytelling and interpretive shows. The center features an extraordinary visitor interactive rattlesnake research, tagging and tracking program.
Khot-La-Cha Art Gallery and Gift Shop, on the Capilano Indian Reserve in North Vancouver, features artwork and crafts created by members of the Squamish First Nations. Included are hand-carved yellow and red cedar totem poles and plaques, ceremonial mas! ks, hand knit Indian sweaters, moccasins, and limited-edition prints. Specialties include hand-tanned moose hide crafts, as well as porcupine quill and bone jewelery. Xa:ytem Longhouse Interpretive Centre, a National Historic Site, is located in Mission near the Fraser River. This 9,000-year-old archaeological site features one of the giant transformer rocks or "stone people". The site offers year round cultural, archeological and fishing program tours, basketry, drum making and weaving workshops as well as overnight and cultural immersion programs. The 4000 square foot cedar planked longhouse, built in the traditional way with massive timbers, now stands near the rock and includes a gift gallery hung with exquisite museum quality masks carved by local Sto:lo artists, carved bent wood boxes, cedar hats, mats and panels, drums, talking sticks, paddles and totem poles. It also ! showcases an exclusive line of fashions inspired by First Nations art.
Prince Rupert’s Museum of Northern B.C. has a Carving House with Tsimshian, Haida, Nisga’a and Tlingit carvers working between the months of June and August. The museum is a magnificent Northwest Coast Longhouse with exhibits depicting ancient and modern history, outstanding works of art and unique artifacts of the region. Daily performances from May to September bring the history of the Northwest Coast region alive. A scenic ferry ride fr! om Port McNeill on Vancouver Island takes visitors to Alert Bay and the U'mista Cultural Centre. The main permanent exhibit is called "The Potlatch Collection" and contains repatriated artifacts taken during the potlatch prohibition and now being exhibited to record the cultural, artistic, and historical value to the Kwakwaka'wakw. Throughout July and August the Centre features traditional dances performed by First Nations Youth.
In Duncan, on the east coast of Vancouver Island, the Quw'utsun' Cultural and Conference Centre is located on 6 acres of beautiful landscaped grounds along the banks of the Cowichan River. They offer an authentic First Nations experience, including interpretiv! e tours, traditional artwork, salmon barbeques, displays and live demonstrations, plus performances by the Khowutzun Tzinquaw Dancers. The Centre also features an open-air carving shed, where native carvers craft traditional totem poles. Other highlights onsite include the art and gallery gift shop and the Riverwalk Café. Throughout the province age-old traditions are presented through vibrant displays of song and dance and unique cultural experiences. For more information on the array of Aboriginal Adventures and Cultural Experiences available in British Columbia, visit www.aboriginalbc.com.
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Media contact: Nora Weber TerraCom Communications Group P: 604 504 4457 E: noraw@terracomgroup.net