Arts & Culture

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‘Ksan Historical Village and Museum

Art and artifacts are alive in Indigenous culture – embodied and expressed by the living people, who carry the knowledge of their ancestors and share it with you, year-round.

Lively interaction with Indigenous culture sharers will breathe life into your museum experience.

Explore traditional craft and storytelling in the territory of Squamish Nation, archaeological sites revealing historical pithouses in Lillooet, exhibits of traditional shamanic regalia in Nisga’a territory, and the private offerings of Indigenous artisans at coastal galleries.

Dancers at Kamloopa
Christian White, Master Carver on Haida Gwaii

Arts & Culture Experience Providers

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Musqueam Cultural Centre

museums & heritage sites, indigenous culture

museums & heritage sites, indigenous culture

The Musqueam Cultural Education Resource Centre and Museum features historical objects, contemporary art and a place to share Musqueam history and culture through song, stories, tours and activities. General admission $5. Guided group tours of the land and museum $300 (by appointment) land tours include the Chinese Market Gardens and the special relationship between the Chinese and Musqueam.

Vancouver Coast & Mountains

Vancouver

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Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre

museums & heritage sites, attractions, art galleries, indigenous culture, shopping

museums & heritage sites, attractions, art galleries, indigenous culture, shopping

The Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre is a three-story, 30,400-square foot award-winning cultural centre designed to blend the traditional Squamish Longhouse with the Lil'wat Istken. Cultural Ambassadors share their knowledge and stories with guests, on a guided tour, augmenting the information shared throughout the centre's curated collection of artifacts and contemporary pieces. Traditional drum songs are shared at the top of each hour. The facility is designed to evoke a traditional Squamish longhouse and a Lil'wat Istken (pit house) and is surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery. This thriving cultural centre shares meaningful experiences, educating all, and lifts their two distinct cultures. We occasionally close early for private events, for up-to-date hours slcc.ca/visit

Vancouver Coast & Mountains

Whistler

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Bill Reid Gallery Of Northwest Coast Art

indigenous culture, art galleries

indigenous culture, art galleries

The Bill Reid Gallery is the only public Gallery in Canada dedicated to contemporary Indigenous Northwest Coast Art and honours Bill Reid by exhibiting the Bill Reid SFU Art Collection as well as presenting special exhibitions and programs that build bridges between all peoples, including Indigenous and settler populations. The Gallery is conveniently located in the heart of downtown Vancouver and can be found within a short walking distance from the Canada Lines City Centre Station located in Pacific Centre or the Millenium/Expo Lines Burrard Station.

Vancouver Coast & Mountains

Vancouver

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Skwachays Lodge

indigenous culture, hotels, shopping, art galleries

indigenous culture, hotels, shopping, art galleries

VNHS opened Skwachàys Lodge, the Urban Indigenous Fair-Trade Gallery, and the Artists in Residence Program in June of 2012. The former Pender Hotel was transformed from a three-and-a-half-story derelict SRO hotel to a unique Indigenous social enterprise that combines a boutique hotel with a street-level art gallery, that supports on-site housing and studio space for 24 Indigenous artists. VNHS identified the vulnerability of many urban Indigenous artists artists in need of housing, artists who for various reasons are not able to properly represent and market themselves or their work. Often these artists are commercially exploited through a long established street or underground market that takes advantage of their vulnerability. They try to live off their work by selling on the street or in the bars or through the commercial dealer network that purchases original, gallery quality art for, at times, only five or ten cents on the dollar. By creating a live/work supportive complex with a built-in gallery and community production space, VNHS took a lead role in addressing the social and economic inequities that Indigenous artists can face. The Artists in Residence Program is a unique and life-changing housing program for practicing Indigenous artists. The program includes very affordable housing in clean, unfurnished bachelor suites, 24/7 access to shared artist workshops, and participation in programming opportunities for personal and professional development that help artists develop their craft and move into the next phase of their careers. A 3-year residency in the program is dependent on successful program participation and the achievement of self-defined career goals. Emerging, mid-career, and senior artists are welcome to apply. To date we have had over 110 Indigenous artists complete the program. The Lodge, the Urban Indigenous Fair-Trade Gallery and production space are operated as a self-sustaining social enterprise. Artists are paid a fair price for their work. The model follows the established practices found in the art world. Generally an artist receives between 30%-60% of the retail price depending on the artists reputation and the cost that is underwritten by the gallery (framing, marketing and promotional expenses.) In short, when a guest spends their overnight travel dollars at the Skwachàys Lodge there is a social impact people are housed. When a guest, a member of the community or a company purchases authentic Indigenous art at the Fair Trade Gallery, there is a social impact a simple purchase fights cultural misappropriation and ensures that Indigenous artists are paid fairly for their work. Cultural tourism is one of the fastest growing segments of the tourism sector and there is absolutely a place for our urban Indigenous artists to participate in this industry as a means of reclaiming their lives and independence.

Vancouver Coast & Mountains

Vancouver

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Culture Shock Interactive Gallery

art galleries, indigenous culture

art galleries, indigenous culture

Culture Shock Interactive Gallery is a 100% Aboriginal owned and operated Gallery in Alert Bay on the northern tip of Vancouver Island. We offer interactive First Nations cultural experiences including cedar weaving, traditional salmon barbeque, storytelling and traditional ocean-going canoe tours. We also retail local First Nations art including jewellery, carvings, clothing and documentary films.

Vancouver Island

Alert Bay

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Ksan Historical Village and Museum

museums & heritage sites, indigenous culture

museums & heritage sites, indigenous culture

Northern British Columbia

New Hazelton

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Ocean House Master Carver
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