(Left to right:) Brenda Baptiste – Chair of Indigenous Tourism British Columbia (ITBC), Michelle Ferreri – Member of Parliament, Moody Dan of Lil’wat Nation – Manager of Operations, Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC), Heather Paul – Executive Director, Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC).

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SLCC Wins 2022 BC Indigenous Operator of the Year Award

March 11, 2022

Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and Lil’wat7úl Territory (Whistler, BC) – The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC) has been recognized with the 2022 BC Indigenous Operator of the Year Award presented by Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC) and Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC). The Annual BC Tourism and Hospitality Awards were hosted on March 10, 2022, at Richmond Conference Centre in Richmond, British Columbia, by the BC Hotel Association (BCHA) and the Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC), in partnership with Indigenous Tourism BC.

SLCC Manager of Operations, Moody Dan of the Lil’wat Nation accepted the award on behalf of everyone at the SLCC. He graciously recognized the entire Ambassador family giving a moving acceptance speech to a joyous audience.

“As the Operations Manager at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, I am proud to work alongside my family and friends from both Lil’wat Nation and Squamish Nation on our shared territory, in the village known as Whistler. I am inspired every day by the young people who are driving the cultural and business direction of the organization. We are bringing this award home to my people. To tell them their perseverance and strength during the last two years has not gone unnoticed.” said Moody Dan.

“It’s an honour to just be on the list alongside our fellow nominees. To win is humbling. Please support Indigenous-owned organizations. Do your homework when enjoying the hospitality of your travels through life. Know whose land you are on. Find Indigenous owned businesses and Cultural Centres. That is reconciliation in action. In the language of my ancestors, I raise my hands to you and say Kukw`stumc`kalap”.

Introducing the Award was Indigenous Tourism British Columbia Chair Brenda Baptiste who was recently awarded the Order Of BC Accolade, recognizing her extraordinary and meaningful contribution to Indigenous Tourism, and also onstage was Member of Parliament Michelle Ferreri.

The Award recognizes Indigenous tourism businesses that demonstrate authenticity, cultivate a greater understanding of Indigenous culture, history and traditions, and contribute to the resilience of the local Indigenous community. The 2022 BC Tourism & Hospitality Awards, presented by BCHA and TIABC in partnership with ITBC, recognize and celebrate excellence, leadership, and innovation within British Columbia’s tourism & hospitality industry. The Awards recognize the province’s most exceptional products, services, experiences, and people who exhibit the utmost standard of excellence.

“This is for the staff who persevered over these last two years, facing closures, layoffs, reopening, restrictions and pivotal changes in our business. The message to them and to everyone is that their work was so much more than just surviving a pandemic. The last two years of our time together as an SLCC family has been award-winning. It’s an honour to work alongside this team.” said Heather Paul, Executive Director of the SLCC.

The SLCC would like to acknowledge and honour the experiences and work of the other Indigenous finalists – Gulf Island Seaplanes in Gabriola Island, BC and Quaaout Lodge & Talking Rock Resort in Chase, BC. The SLCC would like to graciously thank Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC), Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC), the BC Hotel Association (BCHA) and the Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC) for the honour, and recognition of receiving this prestigious award.

Huy Chexw (thank you) Wa Chexw Yuu (take care) – Squamish Language
Kukw`stumc`kalap (Thank-you all) – Lil’wat Language