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School Groups

What to Expect

The SLCC’s Cultural Ambassadors welcome school groups of all ages for guided tours, where students learn about the traditions and rich history of the Squamish and Lil’wat peoples and how they have inhabited the Sea to Sky corridor from ancient times to modern day. Students will witness oral history in action as Cultural Ambassadors proudly share their own stories and first-hand cultural experiences. Throughout the tour students will view artifacts and hear stories that give an overview of the traditional way of life of the both the Squamish and Lil’wat Nations who share this land. While the Squamish and Lil’wat cultures are grounded in rich, ancient traditions, they continue to grow and evolve in a modern world.

We align our school tour content with British Columbia’s School Curriculum from Kindergarten through Grade 12. Teachers may choose from one of the following tours to fit their class studies, and we can customize them further to fit specific lesson planning.

On site and virtual programs are currently available Wednesday – Sunday.

A lunch room can be available based on request.

Parking

Bus parking is available off Lorimer Road; car parking is available off Blackcomb Way.

Educational Tours

COMMUNITY RECONCILIATION CANOE

PADDLING THROUGH THE NATIONS TOUR

Join our Paddling through the Nations Canoe Tour and learn more about the Community Reconciliation Canoe. Guided by an SLCC Cultural Ambassador guests will be welcomed with a drum song, and hear storytelling of historic canoes from both the Squamish Nation and Lil’wat Nation and then be introduced to the Community Reconciliation Canoe, carved in the summer of 2022. We invite guests to sign their names on the paddle as a symbol of connection to the canoe carving project and their commitment to paddle together in reconciliation.

Canoe TourHover Image

Duration: 1 hour

Add-on options: (Enquire to learn more)
Lunch: Customize your lunch options for your group.
Crafts: Consider adding the Paddle Rattle or Paddle Necklace or another interactive craft activity to your visit.

School Group Rate

Admission Type Rate
Student – Kindergarten – Grade 12 $10
Post-Secondary Student $15

What We Treasure

Experience our feature tour, “What We Treasure”, a tour that focuses on an overview of what is important to the first inhabitants of this territory from past to present. During this one-hour tour students will view artifacts and hear stories of the ancient traditions and current lifestyles of the Squamish & Lil’wat peoples.

Tour Duration: 1 hour

School Group Rate
Admission Type Rate
Student – Kindergarten – Grade 12 $10
Post-Secondary Student $15
  1. Admission rates are in Canadian funds and are subject to 5% GST
  2. All Teachers and Chaperones have complimentary admission
  3. Squamish & Lil’wat Nation Members enjoy free admission

The Regalia We Treasure

Join a Cultural Ambassador on a guided tour to discover the traditional clothing styles and regalia making art forms of the Squamish and Lil’wat Nation’s.  Witness the creative process of crafting traditional regalia with some modern approaches.  View our current regalia, masks, cedar skirts, baskets, tools and accessories.  Ask our team about the process of crafting buckskin, wood carving, obsidian knapping and sewing a button blanket inspired cape.  Finish your experience with an interactive craft activity that suits the age of your students.
The Spo7ez Workhouse is a temporary workshop exhibit that showcases the Squamish and Lil’wat Nation’s living cultures of Regalia Making. This project connects us to our past and is vital in reviving the ancient art of clothing construction from this territory.  Bring your class for an informative and interactive tour and workshop.

TOUR – THE REGALIA WE TREASURE

Tour Duration: 1.5 hours

School Group Rate
Admission Type Rate
The Regalia We Treasure Tour with Animal Headbands Colouring Activity (Kindergarten – Grade 4) $10
The Regalia We Treasure Tour with Deer Hide Cuff Bracelet Activity (Grade 4 – Grade 6) $18
The Regalia We Treasure Tour with Raw Hide Cuff Bracelet Activity (Grade 7 – Grade 12) $20
The Regalia We Treasure Tour with Raw Hide Cuff Bracelet Activity (Post-Secondary Student) $27
  1. Admission rates are in Canadian funds and are subject to 5% GST
  2. All Teachers and Chaperones have complimentary admission
  3. Squamish & Lil’wat Nation Members enjoy free admission

Discover Your Animal Spirit (Kindergarten to Grade 4)

In ancient times animals were humans, they considered themselves brothers and sisters. Some people were known to transform themselves into animals to help one another; stories and legends about the relationships between animals and people are intertwined with our cultures. Students will be introduced to four animals found in the traditional territory of the Squamish and Lil’wat Nations – Eagle, Bear, Hummingbird and Wolf.

Tour Duration: 2 hours

School Group Rate
Admission Type Rate
Student – Kindergarten – Grade 4 $10
  1. Admission rates are in Canadian funds and are subject to 5% GST
  2. All Teachers and Chaperones have complimentary admission
  3. Squamish & Lil’wat Nation Members enjoy free admission

Hunters and Gatherers

Both the Squamish and the Lil’wat Nations are caretakers of the land, and their culture is a reflection of it. Our families came into the Whistler area during warmer months to prepare food for the long winters. In this specialty tour, students will learn how the communities of Squamish and Lil’wat people were sustained by hunting, fishing and gathering, using food as medicine for preventative care.

Tour Duration: 1.5 hours

School Group Rate
Admission Type Rate
Student – Kindergarten – Grade 12 $10
Post-Secondary Student $15
  1. Admission rates are in Canadian funds and are subject to 5% GST
  2. All Teachers and Chaperones have complimentary admission
  3. Squamish & Lil’wat Nation Members enjoy free admission

Interactive Workshops – Craft Activities & Scavenger Hunt

Consider expanding your tour experience by adding an interactive craft activity to your visit. For a hands-on experience and fun takeaway, we would like to invite your group to join us for a unique crafting workshop. Learn how to make a traditional craft with the assistance of a Cultural Ambassador who will share with you the stories behind the craft. Check out our options. Please note: costs and times quoted are in addition to tour rates and times.

Virtual School Programming

Summer Regalia Series with Sutikem BikadiSummer Regalia Series with Sutikem Bikadi 2

We are excited to share a selection of our educational tours virtually with school groups throughout BC!

Format: Welcome Song, Introduction of Ambassador and SLCC, Introduction of theme (What We Treasure, The Regalia We Treasure, or Hunters and Gatherers), and a question & answer period at the end of each session. Our 15 minute film ‘Where Rivers, Mountains, and People Meet’ will be provided in advance, for students to watch prior to their virtual experience.

Cost: $300 per class (live Virtual Tour via Zoom)

Duration: 1 hour

Virtual Homeschool Programming

We are also offering virtual school programming for Homeschool families. The format is the same as above, please inquire if you are interested.

Cost: $80/family (minimum 3 families).

School Program Booking Requests

Please complete the following booking request form and our friendly Sales Manager will be in touch shortly.
Please note, bookings are not confirmed until you have received a confirmation from a Sales Representative at the SLCC.

    Name (first and last)*

    Email*

    Phone number*

    Name of school*

    Grade(s) visiting:*

    Number of anticipated students*

    Preferred Tour:*

    Add-on:*

    Although we try to accommodate all requests, we kindly ask that bookings be made as least two weeks out. Consider changing your date. If this date is firm, please contact us directly at tours@slcc.ca

    Preferred Date*

    Alternative Date*

    Please let us know if you have any special requests or certain considerations we should be aware of:

    Tours

    Knowledgeable Cultural Ambassadors share their cultural teachings with guests during guided tours; visit our Group Tours page for more information.

    Thunderbird Cafe

    Thunderbird Café

    Discover our unique style of modern First Nation’s cuisine such as bannock, salmon and venison. Visit the Thunderbird Café.

    Gallery & Gift Shop

    Discover our unique selection of First Nations merchandise ranging from handcrafted works of art, to home accents, clothing and accessories, jewellery, pottery, baskets, books and souvenir merchandise. Visit the Gallery & Gift Shop.

    Weddings and Events

    Weddings at the SLCC are some of the most spectacular; learn more about our venue as your wedding location by visiting slcc.ca/weddings.

    #SlccWedding