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Opening April 2008! The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, Whistler, British Columbia
March 2007
In an unprecedented cooperative venture, the Squamish and Lil’wat Aboriginal people of the Pacific Northwest of British Columbia, have created the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, in the premier mountain resort of Whistler. This 30,400 square foot complex has been created by the Squamish and Lil’wat people to share their living cultures with the world. Open daily, year round, this authentic world-class attraction is a must see for anyone visiting Whistler. To view renderings and floor plans please visit our web site at www.slcc.ca
Imagine being greeted by your Squamish and Lil’wat hosts in front of magnificent hand-carved cedar welcome figures, set out from a dramatic forest and mountain backdrop. Enter the Cultural Centre through great carved cedar doors into a monumental Great Hall. Traditional canoes carved from cedar logs, intricate weavings, remarkable art pieces, artifacts and work tools are yours to discover. Inside the building, with its 22-foot- high ceilings, walk on a floor that reflects textures of the natural world. Curved 220-foot long glass plank walls reveal spectacular forest and mountain views. Visit the ‘Class A’ museum space where cultural treasures of the Squamish and Lil’wat people are showcased.
Fly over the traditional lands of the Squamish and Lil’wat people in the 80-seat multimedia theatre; experience their legends, oral history and modern culture. Take in the power of ancient teachings; witness the land where these two Nations have lived since time immemorial. Visit the Gift Shop where you can purchase original artwork, exquisite jewelry, designer clothing, hand-carved yellow and red cedar artworks, ceremonial masks, cedar baskets, wool weavings, moccasins, limited-edition prints, beautiful silver and gold carved jewelry — all designed and created by Squamish, Lil’wat and other First Nations artists.
Witness people working as you explore traditional dwellings of the Squamish and Lil’wat people. Stroll along the nature loop in a cultural forest walk, alive with Native plants.
Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre
Ø 30,400 square feet in size and located in Whistler across the street from the Four Seasons Resort Whistler and the Fairmont Chateau Whistler
Ø 80-seatTheatrical Centre for the staging of live performances and events
Ø Outdoor arts and crafts Demonstration Area with local aboriginal artists
Ø 1,200 square foot Retail Store selling authentic First Nations art forms
Ø Cafe and Catering Facility with traditional Native and West Coast cuisine
Ø Cultural Tour Booking Centre for guided Squamish & Lil’wat cultural tours
Ø Aboriginal Tourism Information Centre including interactive maps and tourism information for British Columbia
Ø Artist Training Programs dedicated to revitalizing traditional crafts and skills
Ø Cultural Forest Walk alive with Native plants
