Experience a Powerful Month of Connection at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre in Whistler
As the seasons change and the leaves begin to turn, the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (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 Wednesday, September 30, the SLCC offers a powerful opportunity for reflection, education, and connection — through storytelling, cultural sharing, immersive experiences, and thought-provoking guest speakers.
Whether you live in the Sea to Sky region or are planning a visit to Whistler this fall, the SLCC is a place to engage deeply with Indigenous culture, learn from authentic voices, and take meaningful steps toward reconciliation.
Highlights of September Programming at the SLCC
Spo7ez Artist Market – September 6, 10 am - 4 pm
Explore the Spo7ez Artist Market, showcasing talented artisans from the Squamish Nation and Lil’wat Nation. Featuring handmade crafts, jewellery, fashion and accessories, traditional art, and locally made wellness products, every purchase supports Indigenous makers and culture. Free entry | No registration required
Aprés Taste and Shop - Thursday September 10, 12pm - 5pm
Join us for Aprés Taste and Shop and enjoy sampling a variety of authentic Indigenous offerings from the Gallery & Gift Shop, featuring Cinnamon Sugar Bannock Bites with Bangin Bannock, Wabanaki Maple Syrup, Skwalwen Botanicals, Sriracha Revolver, and Turtle Island Coffee. Get a Gift with purchase when you spend over $100 (before tax) Save 15% on Shopping! (excludes books, art, food, sale items)
The Whistler Chamber of Commerce will host a Member Meeting: Net Walking event on Wednesday September 16, for a morning social along the scenic Lost Lake nature trails followed by a visit to the Thunderbird Cafe at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre. Whistler Chamber members can learn more and sign up through the Whistler Chamber of Commerce.
Spo7ez Online Auction Launch – September 21 - October 5
Bid on over 100 curated items and experiences from across the Sea to Sky Corridor — from hotel stays and gift cards to authentic Indigenous artwork. All proceeds support cultural revitalization, meaningful employment, and training through the Indigenous Youth Ambassador (IYA) Program at the SLCC.
Unceded Exhibition – September 25 - 27
The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre in partnership with Whistler Blackcomb presents the Unceded - S7ulh Temíxw / Ti Tmicwkálha / Our Land Exhibition pop up at Creekside Bridge during the UCI World Cup Mountain Biking Downhill event.
The exhibition features original photographs of members of the Squamish Nation and Lil’wat Nation living deeply in their culture, set in breathtaking Sea to Sky landscapes from K’emk’emeláy (Vancouver) to Ts’zil (Mount Currie) mountain. The travelling exhibit features photography by Logan Swayze, and guests can see a larger collection from the original 2022 exhibit at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre. Learn more at slcc.ca/unceded
Salish Hand Drum Making Workshop - Tuesday September 29
Make a beautiful traditional Salish hand drum using deer hide and a cedar frame. The drum is not just a music maker, but a voice for the soul within the music. The drum is more than a musical instrument to those who own and play it, as it is considered to have a life of its own and is regarded as having its own powerful spirit. In some traditions the drum symbolizes the heartbeat and in others it represents the powerful medicine of thunder. 16" Salish Drum: $180 per person. Recommended Age: 15+ Years. Duration: 2.5 hours
On Wednesday, September 30, the SLCC will host a full day of immersive programming. Everyone is encouraged to wear orange to honour the children, survivors, and families of Residential Schools.
Day-long programming includes:
- Guest Speaker Series – Julian Brave NoiseCat, Carolyn Roberts, and Sydney Pascal
- Whistler Film Festival presents the short film Distance and feature documentary film I am Gitxsan
- Cultural sharing and Indigenous craft-making
- Spo7ez Artist Market
- First Nations-inspired cuisine at the Thunderbird Cafe
- Orange Shirts, books for learning, art, and keepsakes in the Gallery & Gift Shop
This day is an opportunity to listen, reflect, and take meaningful action while surrounded by living culture.
General admission applies on September 30, with free admission for children and youth aged 18 and under. Indigenous Peoples receive free admission year-round. Sea to Sky residents are encouraged to show their year-round support by becoming an SLCC Member. The SLCC is grateful to the Resort Municipality of Whistler for its support of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation programming.
To learn more and see the full schedule visit slcc.ca/ndtr-at-the-slcc
More Than a Day: The Ongoing Work of Reconciliation
While September 30 marks a day of remembrance, Truth and Reconciliation is not a single moment — it’s a lifelong commitment to truth-telling, justice, and change.
Reconciliation means honouring the children who never made it home from Residential Schools, the survivors who carry the weight of those experiences and the families and communities still living with the effects of intergenerational trauma.
It also means recognizing that truth and reconciliation must include understanding and respecting Indigenous Land and Title, and supporting economic sovereignty. This includes valuing Indigenous governance, language and cultural revitalization, sustenance and wellbeing, and business development — as part of the path toward self-determination on lands that have been stewarded since time immemorial.
Recognizing these truths may also mean unlearning what we’ve been taught — or not taught — about Canada’s history. It calls on each of us to listen deeply, to question comfortably held assumptions, and to act with respect and responsibility.
Every act of learning, listening, and solidarity matters.
Learn more at slcc.ca/ndtr
Explore Exhibitions and Guided Tours
Explore immersive exhibitions and guided tours:
- What We Treasure Permanent Collection
- Wisdom of the Animal People Exhibit
- What We Treasure Tour - on the hour
- Interpretive Forest Walk - 3 PM
Plan Your Visit
Open Tuesday–Sunday | 10 AM – 5 PM
Occasionally, we close early for private events. Plan your visit at slcc.ca/visit
Make an Impact: Join the Membership & Donation Drive
Throughout September, the SLCC invites individuals, families, and organizations to support living culture, Indigenous leadership, and truth-telling through action. As an Indigenous-owned and operated non-profit, over 90% of SLCC staff are Indigenous, and every dollar raised sustains community-led programs, youth employment, and cultural revitalization.
Your donation supports the work of Cultural Ambassadors, Elders, artists, and educators from the Squamish and Lil’wat Nations. From youth mentorship to language preservation and public education, your support makes reconciliation real and visible.
Membership connects you directly to the heart of living Indigenous culture — and helps ensure these programs thrive year-round, while enjoying regular connection with our Cultural Ambassadors and teachings, and savings in the Gallery & Gift Shop and Thunderbird Cafe.
Join us in Corporate Allyship »
Corporate businesses and organizations can join us in Allyship to work alongside us to reach our goals. Collectively, we recognize the value of working together to build stronger ties between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people and support our purpose to uplift the Sḵwxwú7mesh and Lílwat7úl people, with pride and visibility on their land. Well-aligned reciprocal partnerships support our work to deliver the Indigenous Youth Ambassador (IYA) program, cultural programming, education, and curation efforts each day – that’s where generous organizations step in and up to support us though the Allyship Program.
Wear Orange and Stand in Solidarity
Show your support for Truth and Reconciliation by wearing an Orange Shirt. The SLCC Gallery & Gift Shop offers Orange Shirts, and educational books for learning, available in-person and online.
Join Us This September
This September, step into a space of reflection, culture, and connection at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre — and join a path toward reconciliation.
Whether you’re visiting Whistler or part of the local community, there are many ways to connect, support, and learn during this important time. Every step toward truth and reconciliation matters. We invite you to walk with us.
Looking Ahead to October
Wisdom of the Animal People: Cultural Sharing - October 2 & 3
The momentum continues into October with the Wisdom of the Animal People Cultural Sharing event on October 2 and 3, complementing the feature exhibition in Galleries 2 and 3. The event will feature Chinook Song Catchers, Alex Wells Native Thunder, Proud Little Warriors, Yex̱wela7 Cht, Spo7ez Cultural Sharing, storytelling from Holly Bikadi, Sík Sík Josh Anderson and more! The SLCC is grateful to the Resort Municipality of Whistler for its support of the Wisdom of the Animal People: Cultural Sharing event and feature exhibit. More info coming soon!
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