FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Revitalized Permanent Exhibition and Guided Tour experiences this summer at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre in Whistler, B.C.

July 9, 2025 – Sk̲wx̲wú7mesh / Líl̓wat7úl (Whistler, B.C.) – The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC) in Whistler invites guests to experience the revitalization of its permanent exhibitions, featuring newly updated interpretive content in the Great Hall and the What We Treasure collection in Gallery One. Developed in collaboration with community members, the refreshed storyboards reflect the voices, perspectives, and languages of both the Squamish Nation and Lil’wat Nation, offering a deeper, authentic, and contemporary expression of their living cultures. The exhibition also features the meaningful repatriation of Squamish Nation ancestral belongings. Now open daily for the summer season, the SLCC welcomes visitors to connect, learn, and be inspired in the heart of Whistler.

Over the past 18 months, the SLCC Curator Mixalhítsa7 Alison Pascal along with the curatorial team worked closely with more than 250 community members—from youth to Elders of both the Squamish Nation and Lil’wat Nation—to guide the revitalization process. Their voices and cultural knowledge informed the development of new interpretive materials that bring forward stories, imagery, and language in ways that reflect and respect their Nations’ values and teachings. The result is a vibrant, community-driven expression of two distinct cultures with deep, ancestral ties to the land. The work embodies the original spirit of partnership between the Squamish Nation and Lil’wat Nation, reflecting their shared commitment to preserving and celebrating their living cultures in a world-class cultural centre—bringing pride and visibility to their territories and standing as a leading, authentic Indigenous-led organization.

In January 2025, the SLCC was honoured to support the repatriation of Squamish Nation ancestral belongings from the Canadian Museum of History. Cultural items—including a wool blanket, cedar baskets, and traditional tools—were welcomed home in a private ceremony and are respectfully integrated into the permanent exhibition, enriching the cultural experience for all.

Alongside the updated interpretive content, the Great Hall and What We Treasure collections feature original cultural belongings such as baskets, blankets, carvings—including canoes, spindle whorls, welcome figures, house posts, and story poles—as well as drums, tools, and regalia (traditional clothing). These exhibits are brought to life through immersive guided tours led by Cultural Ambassadors, who share personal stories and lived experiences that deepen visitors’ understanding of Squamish and Lil’wat cultures.

Throughout the summer, guests can enjoy a variety of guided cultural experiences, including the signature What We Treasure Tour, offered hourly, as well as two seasonal feature tours: the Legends of the Land Tour at 11 a.m. and the Interpretive Forest Walk at 3 p.m. These tours feature welcome songs, short film, authentic storytelling, and cultural knowledge sharing that bring the permanent and feature exhibits—and the Nations’ deep connection to the land—to life. All tours are included with admission, suitable for all ages, and available for group bookings upon request.

The SLCC gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Province of British Columbia, First Peoples’ Cultural Council, Canada Council for the Arts, and the British Columbia Arts Council.

The SLCC is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. during the summer (June–August), and Tuesday to Sunday (closed Mondays) beginning in September. The SLCC occasionally closes early for private events, for up to date hours plan your visit at slcc.ca/visit.

To learn more about the SLCC’s permanent exhibit visit slcc.ca/exhibits/what-we-treasure/

Read the Press Release