Reflecting on 2025, the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC) in Whistler has had a year full of heartwarming cultural experiences, with the enduring presence of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and Lí’wat7úl peoples resonating throughout the community. This year has been marked by cultural expression, community engagement, and meaningful partnerships, all contributing to preserving and celebrating the living culture of the Squamish Nation and Lil’wat Nation.
We extend our gratitude to the SLCC Ambassadors, the leadership of the Squamish and Lil’wat Nations, Elders, members, allies, community partners, and guests for making 2025 such a fulfilling year at the SLCC. We proudly share a look back at the year’s most impactful moments and initiatives, from cultural exhibits and inspiring events to community celebrations.
The Squamish Nation welcomed home ancestral belongings from the Canadian Museum of History including a wool blanket, cedar baskets, and traditional tools, returned in a private ceremony with Nation members. These cultural belongings were integrated into the What We Treasure collection, the SLCC’s permanent exhibit. The revitalization of this exhibit storyboards throughout the Great Hall and Gallery One marked an important milestone for the Centre, in collaboration with over 250 Nation members reflecting the evolving stories of the Squamish Nation and Lil’wat Nation. This revitalization was celebrated during the Storyboard Ceremony in June, which honoured Mixalhítsa7 Alison Pascal, community members and the curatorial team for their dedicated work in bringing new stories, language, and cultural teachings to life.
The energy of the VIFW Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week in November was one of the year’s most exciting cultural moments at the SLCC. The event brought a surge of energy and celebration, showcasing the incredible work of Indigenous designers and creatives, including Squamish and Lil’wat artists. The atmosphere was electric as these designers shared their stories through fashion, energized the room with Indigenous pride and cultural expression. It was a beautiful moment that highlighted the intersection of traditional knowledge and contemporary style, drawing attention to the ongoing importance of Indigenous fashion and cultural identity.
In addition to the Fashion Week celebration, the Woven Pathways: Fashion and Cultural Continuity exhibit, on display until April 2026, continues to highlight the innovative work of Squamish and Lil’wat fashion and accessory designers, along with guest artists from the Northwest Coast. It examines the cultural significance of fashion as a form of contemporary Indigenous expression, connecting the designs of today to the legacies of the past. This ongoing exhibit complements the fashion show’s energy and serves as an important space for understanding the role of fashion in shaping the future of Indigenous identity and culture.
Gathering in Celebration and Cultural Expression
Cultural Ambassadors opened the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 with a welcome ceremony and songs in Whistler Village, and warmly welcomed athletes, families, and friends to immersive cultural experiences at the SLCC and in the village. Lil’wat Artist Levi Nelson, led the design of the Invictus Games medals, and Squamish Artist Ses Siyam Ray Natraoro, were both part of the Four Host First Nations team behind the Games’ signature visual identity.
In spring Cultural Ambassadors hosted immersive craft workshops and storytelling for family day weekend, and Animal Spirit workshops for the Whistler Children’s Festival. In May, the Thunderbird Café team shared favourites immersed in community at the Lil’wat Rodeo, serving popular dishes like Venison Bannock Tacos and Elk and Bison Smokies.
Throughout the spring and summer, the SLCC hosted a variety of cultural experiences, guided tours and workshops. The Legends of the Land feature exhibit invited visitors to experience how traditional knowledge and history have been passed down through stories, complemented by live storytelling tours, artwork, petroglyphs, and pictographs. The Net Making exhibit ran from July to September and focused on the traditional methods used by families to create fishing nets—an essential tool for the Squamish and Lil’wat Nations for generations, giving visitors an interactive, hands-on experience, allowing them to learn about the art of net-making and its cultural importance.
We celebrated National Indigenous History Month during June as Cultural Ambassadors shared immersive craft workshops and part of the Nourish Whistler wellness series, hosted Forest Walks with Tea, and Maggie Wallace and Steve Fecho featured in Grillin’ n Chillin’ evening dinner set at the Station House on Alta Lake. Chelsie McCutcheon of Indigenous Women Outdoors hosted Yoga on the morning of the summer solstice in partnership with Lululemon Whistler.
On the summer solstice, we celebrated National Indigenous Peoples Day with a vibrant lineup of events, including the Sea to Sky Fashion Show with with DJ Kookum, VIFW Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week, live music by the Spiritual Warriors, and comedy by Keith Bubbas Nahanee. Guests enjoyed the featured Thunderbird Grill BBQ and exploring the Spo7ez Artist Market-which continued to be a highlight every Saturday during summer. Cultural Ambassadors shared storytelling in the Istken Pithouse and songs from the Spo7ez team. T’ec Georgina Dan shared her voice through writing in the Pique Newsmagazine Uplifting Indigenous Excellence for National Indigenous Peoples Day.
On July 1, SLCC Cultural Ambassadors joined by Nation members showed great pride and presence through song, leading the Community Parade through Whistler Village. In partnership with TEDxWhistler and the Whistler Multicultural Society, the SLCC hosted an engaging and thoughtful event Rethinking Canada Day – a space for dialogue, reflection, and shared learning in the Istken Hall. Guest Speakers included Lil’wat Business Group CEO Rosemary Stager, SFU Executive Lead and former elected Squamish Nation Councillor Syeta’xtn Chris Lewis, Squamish Artist Chepximiya Chief Janice George, and Angela Bueno of the Whistler Multicultural Society.
Cultural Ambassadors proudly shared welcome ceremonies to thousands of guests throughout the year, bringing pride and presence out on the shared territory at the Whistler Blackcomb Fire and Ice Show, Whistler Summer Concert Series, Crankworx, Whistler Chamber Après, Whistler Children’s Festival, Whistler Multicultural Festival, Whistler Writer’s Festival and Whistler Film Festival highlighting their vibrant presence on both the local cultural and community stage, as well as to global audiences. These collaborations continue to amplify the Ambassadors role in Whistler, fostering a deeper connection to the authentic Indigenous arts and culture while showcasing the richness of our community.
Celebrating fifty years of the Resort Municipality of Whistler, the Spo7ez story was shared in the Whistler 50th video with artwork by Levi Nelson, thanks to Tourism Whistler and Origin Outside, showing that Squamish and Lil’wat peoples continue to shape the spirit of Whistler today through presence and connection to the land, and ongoing cultural leadership through the work at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre.
Reflection, Recognition, and Looking Ahead
September brought powerful moments of reflection, including an inspiring speaker event with Jody Wilson-Raybould on True Reconciliation, followed by a book signing in the Istken Hall. Her presence uplifted and empowered our communities to honour the Indigenous experience and work together in meaningful ways that make impactful change.
We honoured National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with a Speaker Series hosted by Mixalhítsa7 Alison Pascal, with Ed Archie NoiseCat speaking on his experiences as an artist and his deeply personal story featured in his son Julian Brave NoiseCat’s film Sugarcane, sharing conversation beneath the extraordinary story pole Sqātsza7 Tmicw – Father Land he carved and raised in Great Hall 2022.
The Lil’wat k̓wezúsmin̓ Land Rights and Title team, shared important conversation from Lhpatq Maxine Bruce, Pasit Casey Gonzalez and Xzúmalus Roxanne Joe, about Pipi7íyekw Joffre Lakes Park and their ongoing work as stewardship of the land. Ambassadors shared immersive storytelling, curator tours, Spo7ez Artist market and the Truth in Truth and Reconciliation board game. T’ec Georgina Dan voiced Truth Before Reconciliation in the Pique Newsmagazine ahead of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Mixalhítsa7 Alison Pascal was awarded the Pat Kelly Champion of Arts and Culture award at the Whistler Excellence Awards, recognizing her dedication to curating and preserving the living culture of the Squamish Nation and Lil’wat Nation through the Storyboard revitalization of the What We Treasure permanent exhibit. Cheximiya Allison Burns Joseph and Mixalhítsa7 Alison Pascal were honoured along with three recipients of the Freedom of the Resort Municipality of Whistler Award as part of a special ceremony at the SLCC in December. This highest civic honour was a well-deserved recognition of their years of leadership and dedication to the SLCC and their communities since the SLCC opened in 2008.
The Whistler Writers Festival hosted Julian Brave NoiseCat and Jónína Kirton in a conversation on Julian’s Book, We Survived the Night. Julian shared powerful storytelling and moving songs in the Great Hall of the SLCC surrounded by proud Lil’wat and St̓at̓y̓emc family and community members eager to connect and lift up his voice and work. Julian’s visit followed a successful year promoting his film Sugarcane around North America and worldwide after his visit in 2024 to the SLCC to present his film and share in conversation. Whistler Writer’s Festival also shared stories with Paqemul Shelby Dan and Tsawaysia Dominique Nahanee in the Longhouse to an inspired audience.
In spring and fall we proudly celebrated the graduation of fifteen incredible Indigenous Youth Ambassadors (IYA). We are so excited for their ongoing personal and professional growth in future employment and education – with accreditation with Capilano University and BCIT. Many IYA Graduates become integral members of the SLCC team, contributing their skills and knowledge to a variety of departments, including cultural programming, administration, retail and the café.
Throughout the year, the SLCC’s commitment to supporting Indigenous youth was evident in the continued growth of the IYA program. With funding partners like Indigenous Tourism BC, Native Northwest, Sea to Sky Gondola, and RBC, the program is providing young Indigenous people with valuable training and employment opportunities. These partnerships, along with the donations from local organizations like 100 Women Who Care Whistler, Whistler Blackcomb Foundation as well as SLCC Memberships and donations have played a key role in ensuring that the IYA program remains a cornerstone of the SLCC’s cultural mission.
The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre stands as an incredible gathering place as a First Nations Museum and as the premier venue for meetings, conferences, weddings, and events, offering a unique and culturally rich backdrop for special occasions and meaningful connections. The in-house Spo7ez Catering enhances the experience with Indigenous-inspired cuisine, perfectly complementing the incredible gathering space. The Gallery & Gift Shop features a curated selection of authentic Indigenous art and keepsakes, providing visitors the chance to take home a piece of Squamish, Lil’wat, and Pacific Northwest cultures. Ambassadors can curate corporate gifting packages for special acknowledgements or large group events in Whistler and the Sea to Sky corridor. The Thunderbird Café continues to captivate guests with a culinary journey, highlighting local ingredients and traditional flavours in every dish.
The SLCC is grateful to receive support through dedicated Corporate Allyship with Vail Resorts Whistler Blackcomb, Ziptrek, Moguls Coffee House, Zogs Whistler, and Spirit Leaf Whistler. Their ongoing commitment to authentic Indigenous representation—through cultural learning, community engagement, and collaborative partnerships—has been crucial in the success of our programs and events. We gratefully acknowledge CIBC, the Resort Municipality of Whistler, and the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, for providing generous support throughout the year along with Lululemon Whistler, Poparide, SLCC Members and community donations. Over a hundred Sea to Sky Businesses donated products and experiences to the SLCC Online Auction Fundraiser, with community members bidding on the donated offerings. Together $31,353 was raised to support cultural revitalization and the Indigenous Youth Ambassador program through the SLCC. These partnerships and contributions have helped elevate the SLCC’s cultural programming and contributed to the overall success of our mission.
The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre remains a hub for cultural learning, community engagement, and celebration, offering immersive experiences that connect guests to the living cultures of the Squamish Nation and Lil’wat Nation. As we look ahead to 2026, we are excited to continue preserving, sharing, and celebrating these cultures while deepening conversations rooted in reconciliation, respect, and understanding. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all our supporters, partners, members, and visitors for helping make 2025 a year of meaningful cultural connection. We welcome you to continue to join us through membership or a donation—your support helps sustain cultural programming, education, and opportunities for future generations. Together, we will continue to honour living culture now and for future generations.
Huy Chexw / Kukwstumckalap / Thank you for your ongoing support and dedication. We look forward to a vibrant and connected 2026!
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