National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at the SLCC
Reflect on our history. Connect to the land. September 30th will be a day of reflection, stories, and learning at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre. The day will be filled with programming throughout the Great Hall, Theatre, Galleries, and out on the Mezzanine patio.
The SLCC invites guests to experience and connect with immersive programming and storytelling of Skwxwú7mesh and Líl̓wat7úl – the living culture of the original people of the shared territory where Whistler resides.
On National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Wednesday, September 30, the SLCC offers a powerful opportunity for reflection, education, and connection — through storytelling, cultural sharing, and immersive experiences. Thought-provoking guest speakers include Julian Brave NoiseCat, Co-Director of Sugarcane and Author of We Survived the Night, Author Carolyn Roberts of Tess’s Red Dress, Filmmaker Sydney Pascal with her film Distance, and the feature documentary I am Gitxsan in partnership with Whistler Film Festival. Guests can enjoy immersive crafts, educational exhibits and tours, and explore handcrafted art and wellness products at the Spo7ez Artist Market.
Admission is free for members of the Squamish Nation, the Lil’wat Nation, and Indigenous Peoples upon presentation of a valid Status Card.
Kids and Youth (18 & Under) Free Admission
Generous support provided by the Resort Municipality of Whistler
Programming Schedule
10 – 5 pm Exhibits & Self-Guided Tours
– What We Treasure Exhibit
– Wisdom of the Animal People Exhibit
– Truth & Reconciliation Exhibit
– Unceded Exhibit
10 – 4 pm Thunderbird Café
10 – 5 pm Gallery & Gift Shop
10 – 4 pm Spo7ez Artist Market
10 am – 5 pm Craft Activities
10:00 am Storytelling in the Istken Pithouse
10:30 am Curator Tour
11 am Guest Speaker Carolyn Roberts
12 pm Films: Distance / I am Gitxsan** – Theatre
1:00 pm Storytelling in the Istken Pithouse
2:15 pm Moment of Silence
2:00 pm – 3:30 pm Guest Speaker Julian Brave Noisecat
3 pm Guided Tour – Interpretive Forest Walk*
4 pm Spo7ez Drumming
*Weather dependent
**Registration coming soon
Schedule subject to change – please check back here for updates
By visiting and engaging with us at the SLCC, you play a part in honouring our mission to share meaningful experiences, educate all, and lift our distinct Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and Líl̓wat7úl ways. The SLCC is a non-profit organization with 90% Indigenous staff from the Squamish Nation and the Lil’wat Nation, and proceeds are invested in training and revitalization programs.
Guest Speaker Series
In partnership with Whistler Film Festival and Whistler Writers Festival
Wednesday September 30
11 am – Carolyn Roberts shares her book Tess’s Red Dress: Honouring Love and Family
12 pm – 2 pm – Sydney Pascal shares her short film distance – see screening info below
2 pm – 3:30 pm – Julian Brave NoiseCat shares excerpts and cultural sharing from his book We Survived the Night
Guest Speaker: Author Carolyn Roberts
11 am - Istken Hall
Award-winning author, speaker, and Indigenous academic Carolyn Roberts brings warmth, brilliance, and an inspiring presence to every space she enters. A St̓át̓imc and Stó:lō woman from the Thevarge family of N’Quatqua and the Kelly family from Ch’iyáqtel, Carolyn is also a proud member of the Squamish Nation. Her work lights a path toward decolonizing education and uplifting Indigenous brilliance, making her a deeply engaging and sought-after voice in the field.
Join us in the Istken Hall as Carolyn Roberts shares her children's book Tess’s Red Dress. For ages 6-9 years, using age-appropriate and empathetic language, Tess’s Red Dress introduces young children to Red Dress Day and the importance of remembering the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People. The story connects the reader to four-year-old Tess and her family as they honour her auntie by wearing her red dress and keeping the stories and memories of her family alive. Tess’s Red Dress will be available for purchase at the event and in the Gallery & Gift Shop.
Registration coming soon
Guest Speaker: Author Julian Brave NoiseCat
2 pm - Great Hall
Julian Brave NoiseCat is a writer, Academy Award-nominated filmmaker, champion powwow dancer, and student of Salish art and history. His first documentary, Sugarcane directed alongside Emily Kassie, was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary. NoiseCat is a proud member of the Canim Lake Band Tsq’escen and descendant of the Lil’wat Nation of Mount Currie.
Join us as Julian Brave NoiseCat shares storytelling, cultural sharing and excerpts from his book We Survived the Night in the Great Hall. A stunning debut work of narrative nonfiction from one of the most powerful Indigenous story-tellers at work in Canada today, We Survived the Night combines investigative journalism, colonial history, Salish Coyote stories and a deeply personal father-son journey in a searing yet uplifting portrait of contemporary Indigenous life. Juilan's speaker event is set in the Great Hall beside Sqātsza7 Tmicw - Fatherland, the Story Pole carved by his father Ed NoiseCat.
Registration coming soon
We Survived the Night is available for purchase at the event and in the Gallery & Gift Shop
Film Series
In partnership with Whistler Film Festival
Wednesday September 30, 12 pm
- Short film: distance by Sydney Pascal (6 min)
- Feature film: I Am Gitxsan by Hossein Martin Fazeli (64 min)
- Conversation with Lil’wat Filmmaker Sydney Pascal
Limited Capacity – Registration coming soon
Film & Guest Speaker: Sydney Pascal
(following screening of distance & I am Gitxsan)
Sydney’s story is deeply connected to the ongoing legacy of the Sixties Scoop. A member of the Lil’wat Nation, Sydney was born on Vancouver Island and raised in Alberta. As an adult, she reconnected with her Lil̓wat7úl community and began to learn more about her family’s history of separation, displacement, and reconnection.
Join us for the screening of her short film distance and hear directly from Sydney about the story, community, and experiences that inform her work. The film imagines the search of Sydney’s grandmother for her daughter—Sydney’s mother—who was taken from her by child welfare authorities in the 1960s. The film offers a moving reflection on family, loss, displacement, and the enduring search for connection.
Film: I Am Gitxsan
I Am Gitxsan follows Phoenix Apperloo, a recent high school graduate reconnecting with his Indigenous heritage in Hazelton, British Columbia, Canada. Inspired by encounters with residential school survivors, he writes a heartfelt letter to Prime Minister Trudeau about the injustices faced by his people.
The documentary highlights the impact of colonialism on the Gitxsan community, featuring insights from experts like Dr Gabor Maté and showcasing their resilience through protests and legal actions. It culminates with a moving message of hope and determination, emphasizing the power of the Gitxsan people’s enduring spirit, the beauties of their culture, and their commitment to future generations.
Written, directed, and produced by the multi-award-winning filmmaker Hossein Martin Fazeli, I Am Gitxsan is a testament to the resilience of Indigenous communities in their battle to preserve and protect the best of our shared humanity.
Kids and Youth (18 & Under) Free Admission
Generous support provided by the Resort Municipality of Whistler
To see our full programming for September visit slcc.ca/september
To learn more about National Day for Truth and Reconciliation visit slcc.ca/ndtr
Consider other ways to engage with us:
Stay connected – Sign up for our Newsletter.
Become an Annual Member, engaging with the SLCC throughout the year.
Bid in the Spo7ez Silent Auction – LIVE September 21 – October 5
Donate to the SLCC – whether one time, monthly or annually.
Find books for your learning, or a distinctive gift for staff or corporate event: shop.slcc.ca
Advocate for your business to join us in Corporate Allyship.
Host a private event in style at the SLCC.
Host a gathering, conference or meeting at the SLCC.
Host an informal meeting at the Thunderbird Café.
Book your Indigenous learning for your group with a guided tour.
Book onboarding for your staff with a guided tour.
Host your staff training event and catering at the SLCC.
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