Klahowya Village Returns to Stanley Park for 2011
June 27, 2011
Coast Salish Territory / Vancouver: Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson and representatives from the Squamish, Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations took part in a formal ceremony today to celebrate the Grand Opening of the Klahowya Village and Spirit Catcher Train, the attraction’s second season of operation in Stanley Park.
Dignitaries in attendance included:
- Elder Audrey Rivers of the Squamish Nation, who delivered the opening prayer
- Musqueam Councilor Wade Grant
- Squamish Chief Ian Campbel
- Dennis Thomas, Tslei- Waututh
- MLA Colin Hansen
- Vancouver Parks Board Chair Aaron Jasper
- Vancouver Mayor, Gregor Robertson
Klahowya Village is one of Vancouver’s newest tourist attractions and showcases the unique cultures, traditions and stories of British Columbia’s Aboriginal cultural tourism industry. Featuring cultural performers, carvers and artisans, storytelling, traditional cuisine and a themed miniature railroad, visitors to Klahowya Village will see and hear authentic stories that explore Aboriginal cultures from across British Columbia.
“Last year at Klahowya Village we met and talked to tens of thousands of visitors from Europe, the US, Asia and here at home. One thing they all had in common was an interest in seeing and learning about Aboriginal cultures,” said Keith Henry, CEO, Aboriginal Tourism Association of BC. “There’s a huge demand for authentic cultural experiences and our goal is to let British Columbians and new tourists to BC know these cultures, and these cultural experiences, exist in British Columbia as some of the best authentic tourism operations in the world.”
What’s more, the surge in interest in Aboriginal cultures is helping fuel awareness and revitalization of cultures within Aboriginal communities themselves. “Stories are being passed down from elders to a new generation. The traditions, customs and old ways of life are finding new significance with youth, in large part due to tourism. That means cultures, which had at one point seemed endangered, are coming back.”
The Spirit Catcher Train has been entirely redeveloped for 2011 and features a new, Aboriginal-themed story and experience. Complete with narration, live actors, music and elaborate Aboriginal-themed carvings and sets, the train follows the journey of Princess Klahowya and her woodland friends as they search for the evil chief, who has stolen and hidden the sun.
Last summer, during its inaugural season, tens of thousands of families and park goers visited the Klahowya Village in Stanley Park. This year, the Village has opened for a longer tourist season and hopes to draw even more visitors.
“B.C.’s Aboriginal cultural tourism industry has grown dramatically over the past few years. I want to thank the Aboriginal Tourism Association of BC for bringing this outstanding First Nations tourism experience to Vancouver. The Klahowya Village gives British Columbians one more reason to ‘staycation’ in our beautiful province this summer,” said Pat Bell, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation.
The Klahowya Village in Stanley Park runs from May 16 through September 11, 2011. The Village is located in the Stanley Park miniature railroad plaza. Admission to the village is $5 for adults and $3 for children. Tickets to ride the Spirit Catcher Train include admission to the Village and are $14 for adults and $10 for children and seniors. A season’s pass is $20 for adults and $16 for children and seniors.
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Media Contact
Greg Johnson, Media Relations for Klahowya Village
- 604-646-3572
- gjohnson@pacegroup.com