Truth and Reconciliation

September 30th is now a federal and provincial statutory holiday to recognize the tragic history and ongoing legacy of residential schools. On this day and every day, we are encouraged to reflect on the intergenerational harm that residential schools have caused Indigenous families and communities, and to honour those who have been affected by this injustice.

September at the SLCC

Experience a Powerful Month of Connection this September at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC) in Whistler. The SLCC invites both locals and visitors to join in a meaningful month of Indigenous-led programming this September. In the lead-up to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Tuesday, September 30, the SLCC offers a powerful opportunity for reflection, education, and connection — through storytelling, cultural sharing, immersive experiences, and thought-provoking guest speakers, including Jody Wilson-Raybould on September 17.

Guest Speaker: The Hon. Jody Wilson-Raybould
Tuesday, September 17 | 4:00 PM

Wilson-Raybould is a First Nations Leader, Former MP, Minister of Justice, Attorney General of Canada, and Bestselling Author who explores the difference between performative and symbolic reconciliation vs. actions that are truly impactful. Don’t miss this powerful event!

Free Admission | Donations gratefully accepted
Purchase VIP Book Signing tickets in support of the IYA Program

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 2025 at the SLCC

Join us on Tuesday, September 30, 2025 in honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We invite you to experience and connect with immersive programming and storytelling of Skwxwú7mesh and Líl̓wat7úl at the SLCC, the living culture of the original people of the shared territory where Whistler resides.

Orange Shirt Day

Show your support for Orange Shirt Day on September 30. The Gallery and Gift Shop has a range of shirts and pins for the whole family. Shopping at the SLCC supports authentic Indigenous artwork and meaningful employment for Nation members.

Watch: Whistler Changemakers SLCC Video with Go Whistler

In the Whistler Changemaker series, Go Whistler is connecting with local people, businesses and organizations who are putting sustainability at the forefront of what they do. In video #5, Mike Douglas connects with T’ec Georgina Dan, Lil̓wat7úl, Cultural Leader of the Spo7ez Performance team and a graduate and co-facilitator of the Indigenous Youth Ambassador Program at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC). She chatted with Mike about how important cultural sustainability is, what it involves, and how and why it can be a tool for reconciliation.

An open letter to Whistler businesses

Leading up to National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, the Resort Municipality of Whistler and Whistler Chamber of Commerce teamed up with the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre to deliver Orange Heart window decals across the Village and Valley. The package includes letters from SLCC Executive Director, Liza Walli, and Whistler Mayor Jack Crompton, and we are pleased to share them here.

Statement from the SLCC Ambassadors

For the Skwxwú7mesh Lilwat7úl Cultural Centre, this is why we exist. Our beams raised up by our Elders. Shared with our voices. We are here for a purpose, because our culture was silenced for so long.

Books for your learning

Explore books for your learning journey at the SLCC Gallery and Gift Shop. Shopping at the SLCC supports meaningful employment for Ambassadors of the Squamish Nation and Lil’wat Nation.

Frequently Asked Questions about National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

What is the significance of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation? Why was it created? What about Orange Shirt Day? What can I do to support this day? This page is a helpful guide for Whistler businesses, community members and visitors.

Learning the language is preserving the language

Join SLCC Cultural Ambassadors T’ec Georgina Dan and Tsawaysia Dominique Nahanee as they share common words to help start your language journey. Speaking the language of ancestors, parents and future generations, these Ucwalmícwts (Lílw̓at) and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh sníchim (Squamish) words are being shared in hopes that one day, the same greetings and names will be common place in the Sea to Sky.

TEDx Whistler at the SLCC

T’ec Georgina Dan shares in I Am an Ancestor, where she is on her path towards Truth and Reconciliation, and the importance of storytelling in revitalizing culture and language.

Lhpatq Maxine Bruce of the Lil’wat Nations shares How Being One With the Land Can Bring Us Together.

SLCC Executive Heather Paul shares I Am an “Ally” and I am Part of the Problem.

A perfect companion to your day: the words and stories of Chepximiya Siyam Chief Janice George in The Spirit Moves Like a Storm and Kúkwpi7 (Chief) Gélpcal in So Many Questions, So Few Answers from the TEDxWhistler 2020 Series.

Whistler 101 Indigenous People

Spend 18 minutes learning about the history, language, and culture of the Squamish Nation and Lil’wat Nation. Featuring SLCC Curator, Mixalhítsa7, Alison Pascal.

Whistler’s guide to Land Acknowledgements

What are you doing right now? Reading this blog at home on your couch? At work? In a lunchroom or cafe? On a chairlift? In a park? Are you sitting on a bench along one of Whistler’s serene trails? Perhaps you’re in the ístken pithouse, tucked away at the corner of Lorimer Road and Blackcomb Way, inhaling the cleansing cedar smell, and embracing the silence. Whatever you are doing right now, if you are in Whistler you’re doing it on the shared unceded territory of the Squamish Nation and Lil’wat Nation.

Spend the day in quiet reflection

Go at your own pace. Spend the day in quiet reflection while discovering the many public outdoor Indigenous art pieces found all around the Whistler Village and Valley.

Take a walking tour of authentic art and storytelling thoughtfully curated by SLCC Curator Mixalhítsa7 Alison Pascal. Available on the Go Whistler Tours App from Tourism Whistler, the Art & Storytelling of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and Líl̓wat7úl – walking tour weaves its way through the Village to nine locations that are culturally significant to the Squamish Nation and Lil’wat Nation starting at and returning to the SLCC.

Whistler's Truth and Reconciliation Bridge Banner

The Every Child Matters banner on Ted Nebbling Bridge, was commissioned by the SLCC and the Resort Municipality of Whistler, honouring the survivors and victims of the Indian Residential School system. The moving artwork is a collaborative piece created by by Skw̲xw̲ú7mesh (Squamish Nation) artist and SLCC Indigenous Youth Ambassador, Courtney Williams, and Lílw̓at (Lil’wat Nation) artist and SLCC Cultural Ambassador, Jordana Abraham. These talented and powerful young women took some time to share with the world the meaning behind their designs.

Never stop learning

A list of other helpful resources to guide you through September 30th and throughout your journey towards Truth and Reconciliation.