The SLCC is a space of sharing and learning, and our team takes pride in welcoming guests from all over the world to connect with our Squamish and Lil’wat Ambassadors. During this World Pandemic, our hearts remain open and eager to continue to share our cultures with you. If you cannot visit us in person, the following online resources share our two distinct cultures through audio, video, and hands-on activities. All can be enjoyed from the comfort of your own home.
With support from the First Peoples’ Cultural Council, take a 360 look around the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre at your leisure with a virtual tour presented by RE/Max Sea to Sky Real Estate and powered by Matterport.
SLCC.ca/VirtualTour
Meet the SLCC’s Ambassadors – May 2021.
Maggie Wallace – May 13th, 2021
Tylas Smith – May 27th, 2021
Moody Dan – June 3rd, 2021
Rilla Sampson – June 10th, 2021
Victoria Saddleman – June , 2021
The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre was host to TEDxWhistler’s 2021 virtual event. Ambassadors sang their songs and welcomed speakers and organizers, under the backdrop of the SLCC’s beautiful Great Hall. The board of directors and staff are proud to witness 2 of our leaders speak at this year’s event. A perfect companion to your day: the words and stories of Chepximiya Siyam Chief Janice George and Kúkwpi7 (Chief) Gélpcal.
We raise our hand in thanks to TEDxWhistler volunteers and organizers for their partnership and good hearts.
A series of virtual conversations on Friday afternoons with Squamish Nation and Lil’wat Nation influencers. Breaking Bannock will cover a range of topics including community support, artistic inspiration, and storytelling. These remote conversations will be loosely lead by a different host each week, allowing a more organic flow for the range of speakers. Each week will include a question and answer period between listeners and influencers.
A casual conversation with Lil’wat Nation’s Tanina Williams, who shares two traditional stories from Lil’wat and explores the concept of storytelling afterwards.
Join us for a casual conversation with Kwitelut I Kwelaw’ikw Carla George, Squamish Nation, as she shares how she has supported community during COVID-19 with Cheximiya Allison Burns Joseph.
Join us for a casual conversation with Levi Nelson, Lil’wat Nation.
Recording coming soon
Learn craft activities lead virtually by Cheximiya Allison Burns Joseph, Squamish Nation.
Wool weavings were traditionally worn to protect the heart and the head. Follow along as Cheximiya Allison Burns Joseph leads a simple wool weave.
For those who do not have wool, Cheximiya also provides instruction on a simply paper weave.
Follow along as Cheximiya Allison Burns Joseph leads how to make a dreamcatcher.
Up until recently, cedar rope making was a highlight of our hourly guided tour. While we moved away from this activity in an effort to preserve cedar harvesting, we understand some viewers do still have sustainable sources of cedar and wish to learn this technique.
This craft activity can be hung or taped in your window, to join the global movement of putting art in our windows!
Traditionally, medicine bags were used to hold medicinal herbs or treasures that provided protection for the wearer. Make your own medicine back to carry tobacco, sage, sweet grass or other items deemed special or spiritual, such as crystals or small carvings.
During down time, SLCC Ambassadors like to keep their hands busy creating with cedar pieces – and making roses quickly ‘rose’ to the top of the list as a team favourite.
To accompany the previous week’s cedar roses, Cheximiya leads you in creating a cedar (or wool) vase to put them in.
In 2016 we hosted the travelling exhibit Where Are The Children?, spanning over 130 years of the Residential School system depicted through photographs and documents from the 1880s to present day. Through documentation, acknowledgment and education, the goal of the exhibition is also to assist in promoting understanding and reconciliation in Canada about residential schools.
Created to listen to during the drive from Vancouver to Whistler and back, twenty-four audio tracks can be downloaded and listened to at home, too. Cultural Journey is a mix of story telling, cultural knowledge sharing, and songs from both our nations.
The Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure partnered with the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre to have their Youth Ambassador Program produce a short video which was created in collaboration with the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre and the Squamish Nation. This project is a component of the Cultural Journey Phase II which is supported in part by Western Economic Diversification Canada.
Join the SLCC’s Indigenous Youth Ambassador (IYA) Program participants as they tell the story of The Legend of the Serpent on Stawamus Chief using Stop Motion Animation.
Download colouring pages designed by ‘Splash’ Aaron Nelson Moody from Squamish Nation:
Download paper headbands, a salmon drawing with customizable Coast Salish designs, and other colouring pages made in-house:
During the COVID-19 Pandemic the Lil’wat Cultural Centre is posting daily Ucwalmícwts lessons on FirstVoices.com
Explore their daily posts in the ‘Phrases’ section.
Squamish Nation Council Member and SLCC Board Member Khelsilem leads a language lesson on pronouns and verbs: watch.
A digital, interactive map showing territories, languages, and treaties geographically.
Native Land Disclaimer:
This map does not represent or intend to represent official or legal boundaries of any Indigenous nations. To learn about definitive boundaries, contact the nations in question.
Also, this map is not perfect — it is a work in progress with tons of contributions from the community. Please send us fixes if you find errors.
If you would like to read more about the ideas behind Native Land or where we are going, check out the blog. You can also see the roadmap.
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Explore our blog section for behind-the-scenes conversations about the SLCC’s daily operations and inspiring Ambassadors.
As we weave our way through the daily changes and challenges of this global pandemic, we need your support now more than ever. Through donations and membership purchases, the SLCC is able to continue online initiatives such as the live craft demonstrations. Please consider purchasing a membership today.
Huy Chexw /Kukw`stumc`kalap