Squamish Lil'Wat Cultural Centre, Whistler

The Squamish Lil'Wat Cultural Centre located in Whistler Village in British Columbia is a stunning building located on Blackcomb Way and uses many traditional elements from these two native cultures to decorate the building inside and out such as natural plantings and totem poles. CREDIT: Venture Vancouver, SOURCE: www.venturevancouver.com

The cedar exterior of the Squamish Lil'Wat Cultural Centre teaches visitors about the native groups who inhabit the the Whistler region.

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Type:

Museum

Season:

All Seasons

Weather:

All Weather

Time:

2 hours

Cost:

Cost of Squamish Lil'Wat Cultural Centre Cost of Squamish Lil'Wat Cultural Centre

What to bring:

Camera, Questions, Sense of Curiosity

Located in the town of Whistler in the shadow of the world famous Whistler-Blackcomb resort, the Squamish Lil'Wat Cultural Centre brings a historic perspective to the region when it was one of the regions settled by the Squamish and Lil'Wat peoples. Visitors to the centre can learn about these two vastly different native cultures through traditions, artifacts, information, photos and displays.

Stepping into the Squamish Lil'Wat Cultural Centre located in the centre of Whistler Village, visitors enter into the Great Hall and are greeted with images, artifacts and the cedar beams - a species of tree which is very important to both the Squamish Lil'Wat people. This is a place to learn, share and enjoy two very different and distinct native cultures in British Columbia.

The Squamish Lil'Wat Cultural Centre was built as a celebration of the two cultures and their presence in Whistler and their shared territory. in 2001 the two nations signed a formal protocol agreement and cemented their relationship with the planning and construction of the Centre which was opened in 2008 to celebrate the legacy of the people and educating visitors about their traditions, arts, language and history.

Inside the Great Hall artifacts and information ranges on a variety of subject from primitive tools once used to hunt such as arrowheads to how bark is harvested for a multitude of uses such as basket weaving and rope making. Several cedar canoes can be admired throughout the hall and Centre interpreters occasionally sing songs that have been passed from generation to generation. Several smaller rooms hold museums and galleries with examples of weaving, types of traditional clothing and historic artifacts. The Squamish Lil'Wat Cultural Centre also has an outdoors area with two traditional dwellings, a Lil'Wat Istken and a Squamish Longhouse. A forest walk takes visitors alongside many important plants which are used for arts, food and necessities.

The Squamish Lil'Wat Cultural Centre is an place for all ages. Activities such as arts and crafts as well as videos help explain these intricate cultures and keeps their traditions alive. The Squamish and Lil'Wat have worked hard to make the centre an inviting and educational experience to be enjoyed throughout the year.

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Photo and Image Gallery

The Great Hall in the Squamish Lil'Wat Cultural Centre offers displays and information on these two native cultures which share the Whistler region. Display cases with artifacts and canoes carved from cedar trees as well as information about the culture, language and traditions of the Squamish and Lil'Wat people can be enjoyed throughout the hall.
For both the Squamish and Lil'Wat cultures, canoes are an important part of their lifestyles. At the Squamish Lil'Wat Cultural Centre in Whistler, British Columbia, visitors can see traditionally carved canoes which are hollowed out cedar trunks. On this canoe, a black bear pelt can be seen.
Cedar is an important element to the two native cultures represented in the Squamish Lil'Wat Cultural Centre in Whistler, British Columbia. The Canoes used in the surrounding rivers are carved from Cedar as well as the paddles and are meticulously designed with beautiful designs significant to their stories and ideologies.
The Squamish Lil'Wat Cultural Centre in Whistler, British Columbia has many items that are vital to the lifestyles of these two cultures such as artifacts like arrowheads and other like these baskets which are woven from materials found in the region. These baskets are important to both cultures as they are used to store and carry many different things.
There are many different artifacts to enjoy at the Squamish Lil'Wat Cultural Centre in Whistler, British Columbia such as this beautifully decorated Lil'Wat nation drum which are used in traditional ceremonies - some songs which are shared with visitors by interpreters from the two nations which operate the Centre.
There are several galleries within the Squamish Lil'Wat Cultural Centre located in Whistler, British Columbia which encompass a wide range of artifacts, pictures and other items to learn about. Ranging from traditional clothing to woven baskets to revived traditions such as creating clothing from mountain goat wool.
Visitors to the Squamish Lil'Wat Cultural Centre in Whistler, British Columbia can enjoy the outdoor exhibits such as the traditional Lil'wat Pit House which was a hub of activity throughout the year as it was cool in the summer months and warm in the winter months and was protected from attack as it was usually hidden from sight.
A Traditional Squamish Longhouse can be visited at the Squamish Lil'Wat Cultural Centre in Whistler, British Columbia. This was a vital structure in the Squamish community as it was a communal dwelling that could be taken apart and moved. The building is now a place where interpreters show visitors how to weave baskets and do other art projects.
The Squamish Lil'Wat Cultural Centre in Whistler, British Columbia offers a cultural perspective of the two groups that have historically lived in the region. Filled with information, pictures, artifacts and cultural interpreters, the Cultural Centre is an interesting and education place to visit.


Location of Squamish Lil'Wat Cultural Centre

Use the interactive map below to locate and explore the areas around Squamish Lil'Wat Cultural Centre

4584 Blackcomb Way
V0N 1B0


Map of Whistler

Click the brown GEMS on the map to navigate to the other activities within this region

Things to do in Whistler

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