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Learn about
British Columbia, Canada by reading
Meet the Aboriginal People
of British Columbia, Canada by Sandy Zimmerman, Travel Writer.
It features a mini, but thorough tour of the destination, plus all you'll
need to know to plan your trip including getting there, objective
information on places to stay and eat, and things to do. At the end of the
article, we've provided a summary of the contact information for your easy
reference. Enjoy!
Meet the Aboriginal People of British Columbia,
Canada
by Sandy Zimmerman, Travel Writer and WTA Member
Among the beautiful scenery and exciting attractions, British Columbia’s real
treasure is their First Nation’s Aboriginal People. We have the opportunity to
step back in time, to enter the Pit Houses and interact with these descendents
of the ancient ones. Archaeologists have uncovered artifacts carbon-dated from
5,000-9,000 years of age. This is a very different British Columbia that few
people see. We began our adventure in Vancouver, rented a car, and spent 10 days
visiting their cultural centers, restaurants, resorts, museums, and pow wows
throughout British Columbia.
Ernie Philip, a full-blooded Canadian
Shuswap Indian
and award-winning professional native dancer.
Photo courtesy of Quaaout Resort
Members of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, the “People of the Inlet,” recreate the
experience of their ancestors. Takaya’s canoe tour introduces us to the world of
the Aboriginal peoples while they beat their drums and sing ancient songs.
Within a 1-1/2 hour drive from Vancouver, Mission has a large number of
astonishing archaeological finds. The Stolo (stah-low) Aboriginals sing and
dance for visitors at the Xaytem (hay-tum) Longhouse Interpretive Centre. We can
explore the remains of this 9,000 year-old Coast Salish village and are allowed
to walk down into the 2 underground pit houses. These pit houses are one large
room with a 12-sided circular design, cedar timbers, a smoke hole in the
ceiling, and fire pit in the center of the room. The houses are made of dirt
with cedar wood beams. Each measures around 900 square feet and housed 3
families.
The city of Mission offers so much: Westminster Abbey (Benedictine monastery),
the Fraser River Heritage Park, Mission Museum, hiking trails, and fishing. Bird
watchers will be thrilled to see eagles soaring overhead.
Just a 1 hour flight or 4 hour drive from Vancouver, Kamloops is an exciting
town: Aboriginal pow wows, white water rafting, helicopter tours, cruises, ATV
adventures, horseback riding, and fishing await you. Kamloops’ local magazines
will surprise you with over 101 things to do.
Ancient Pit House - The First Nations
Aboriginal People lived underground.
Photo courtesy of Sandy Zimmerman
The Secwepemc Museum & Heritage Park has trails leading through the
archeological remains of a 2,000 year-old Shuswap village with 4 winter pit
houses, botanical gardens, and a smoke house.
The Sunmore Ginseng Spa is unique, the only facility of its kind in North
America that uses ginseng in EVERY health, beauty, food, and massage application
in the spa. Their 4 fantasy suites have Chinese, Japanese, European, and Thai
themes.
Ancient Aboriginal style of cooking
Photo courtesy of Quaaout Resort
The Shuswap Aboriginal band (tribe) welcomes everyone to the Quaaout (pronounced
kwa- out) Resort. Hear the Legends, Feel the Spirit! Enter the world of the
First Nations people, a chance to learn their ancient traditions, taste the
food, and enjoy their native music. As they say, “Retreat from the daily grind
to a natural sanctuary where your worries float away on gentle breezes.” Nestled
along the shores of the little Shuswap Lake, visitors enjoy a 2,400’ beach,
all-inclusive activities, and native interpretive areas including teepees and a
kekuli (traditional winter pit house). Ernie Philip, a full-blooded Canadian
Shuswap Indian walks around the resort in his full native regalia. He entertains
us in the dining room with an ancient drum ceremony, and invites us to ask
questions about his people. Join Ernie’s fascinating guided tours as he tells
the legends of the past and explains their history. The cornish hen and salmon
filet are each wrapped in clay and cooked in the oven. When the waiter brings
the large hardened clay ball to the table, we watched him crack it with a heavy
wooden mallet to uncover our meal. Quaaout means “Where the sun’s rays first
touch the water.” Visit the sweat lodge, the First Nations Aboriginal people’s
sacred place. It acts in the same manner as a sauna but has more heat. Ernie
says, “You will feel good and come out on Cloud 9.” Inside the sweat lodge, the
Aboriginal people pray and ask forgiveness.
Although you may not have heard of Campbell River, their magazine
72 Things To Do In Campbell River
has activities for everyone. Campbell River offers one of the few opportunities
in the world to snorkel in a river with thousands of salmon around you. Float
down the Campbell River about 2-3 feet above the salmon while they make their
way up the river to spawn. Another eco-adventure tour takes us along the Inside
Passage to see bears, eagles, deer, wolves, dolphins, sea lions, and seals as
they play in the wilderness. Travel 50 mph in a 24’ Zodiac, a boat that can get
close to shore. The Whale Watching Tour spots pods of 10-100 Orcas during the
45-minute trip. Because of their unusual currents and tides, the Shoot the
Rapids Tour travels through narrow gaps channels between islands. The Arron
Rapids, just north of the town of Campbell River, takes you across 10’ standing
waves and bubbling whitewater. There are also guided fishing boats, sunset
cruises, horseback riding, biking, helicopter/ plane sightseeing tours, and
kayaking.
Try your luck at traditional Tyee fishing (First Nations Aboriginal word for
large salmon) at Campbell River. Tyee fishing is not like any other fishing. It
is difficult for one person to catch and land a salmon that weighs over 30
pounds all by himself. The rower guide slips the rowboat into the currents and
eddies of the tide pools, allowing the angler to concentrate on the action of
his lure. Some people have tried for 10-15 years before finally succeeding.
British Columbia
Details
Some of the unique stops along our trip
included:
- Liliget Feast House Restaurant- Vancouver
- Listel Hotel- Vancouver
- Fairmont Hotel and Fairmont Airport – Vancouver
- Fleur de Sel French Country B&B Inn – Mission
- Painter’s Lodge- Campbell River
- South Thompson Inn – Kamloops
- Quaaout Resort- Chase
Tourist Information
Getting There
Air Canada offers the most non-stop flights
to Canada from the U.S., South America, Europe, Asia, and the South
Pacific.888-247-2262,
http://www.aircanada.com/.
Notice: This information is current as of March 2006. It is recommended that you
contact the numbers, and/or visit the websites above to determine any changes to
the information.
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