Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre, where Whistler's two First Nations cultures meet

Enjoy a guided or self-guided tour through the Squamish Lil'wat Centre in Whistler. The Centre is an authentic cultural activity for the whole family, where rivers, mountains and people meet. This unique facility embodies the spirit of partnership between Whistler's two Native cultures, the Squamish and the Lil'wat Aboriginal peoples.

Experience special exhibits and contemporary galleries. Watch a spectacular 15 minute film showcasing the traditional and modern cultures. Engage in storytelling and make a craft. Learn about Salish wool and cedar weaving.

The Squamish Nation territory extends from North Vancouver through Squamish to Whistler. The Lil'wat Nation territory starts in Whistler and extends north through Pemberton to Mount Currie. The traditional territories overlap in Whistler. Don't miss this opportunity to visit the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre - the first of its kind in Canada - and learn about two distinctly different BC First Nations.

Admission Includes

~ Tour Exhibits and Museum (optional)
~ Performances
~ Cultural Activities (crafts and/or artist demonstrations in the Longhouse, and/or Storytelling in the Istken
~ Multimedia film: 12-minute film runs every 20 minutes in an 80-seat theatre
~ Exhibit Maps available in French, Spanish, German, Japanese, Chinese and Korean

The Centre is closed on Christmas Day (December 25), Boxing Day (December 26) and New Year's Day (January 1).

The Centre is wheelchair accessible:

~ Elevators move between floors
~ Access to the Exhibits in the Great Hall, museum and contemporary gallery
~ The Theatre where 15-minute film is shown
~ Washrooms, Café and Gift Shop

Great Hall
Beyond the intricately carved cedar doors lies a world of wisdom exhibited through the art and artifacts of two Nations. When you enter the Great Hall, you enter a BC First Nations world of discovery. Massive hand carved cedar spindle whorls angle overhead. As you move through the exhibit, you'll see magnificent dugout canoes, cedar and wool weavings, art, artifacts, and tools - the treasures of the past and the present.

Gallery One
The museum highlights items the Nations treasure, including regalia, artifacts, baskets, legends and language. Everyday objects were carved or painted with symbols that held spiritual significance to the maker. There is ancestral pride in the weaving of a beautiful basket or carving of a welcome figure.

Istken Hall
Designed to evoke the traditional underground dwellings of the Lil'wat Nation, Istken Hall is a circular glass dining room and meeting space with a striking backdrop of forest and mountain scenery.

Gift Gallery
The Squamish Lil'wat Gift Gallery offers original artwork and jewelry, designer clothing, hand carved yellow and red cedar, ceremonial masks, cedar baskets, wool weavings, moccasins and limited edition prints. All products are designed and created by Squamish and Lil'wat artists, as well as other BC Aboriginal artists.

Café
The café at the Squamish Lil'wat Museum features affordable food with a First Nations twist. If your taste buds want to adventure beyond burgers, start with such fare as salmon chowder or venison chili...or perhaps try a "mountain hoagie" with Bison Salami, Arctic Muskox, and Wild Boar Prosciutto. Many of the desserts showcase locally grown berries, such as wild blueberry cobbler with vanilla bean ice cream.

Traditional Squamish Longhouse (Tl'aktaxen Lam)
The Longhouse, with its single sloped roof, was the traditional communal dwelling of the Squamish people. Its engineering was ingenious: cedar planks for the sides and roof were tied to a timber frame with cedar ropes.

Traditional Lil'wat Pit House (Istken)
The Istken, with its unique cone shaped roof, was the traditional dwelling of the Lil'wat people. A hole was dug in the forest floor, crossed tree branches were placed over the hole and filled with moss to form the roof. It was warm in winter and cool in summer.

Forest Walk (Ts'éKts'ek in Squamish language Mámteq in Lil'wat language)
To the Squamish and Lil'wat peoples, the forest is a place that provides much of the sustenance - clothing, food, medicines, and raw materials for housing and daily implements.

Minimum 1 hr. is required for the Squamish Lil'wat Centre experience, but 2 hours is recommended for full value of the the SLCC experience.

Tour does NOT include hotel pick up. Rates are in US Dollars & include all taxes and fees. Child rate applies to ages 6 to 12; children under 6 are free. Please reserve online, or call us toll-free at 888-848-0744.