Xatśūll Heritage Village | Eco Escape Travel
The influence of Indigenous people, as the first locals to the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast who arrived thousands of years ago, significantly shaped our region and continues to do so. Providing essential knowledge, services, experiences, and guides to Canada’s first explorers and settlers, without their provision of food, translators, information, wilderness survival skills, and transportation, the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast would not be what it is today. In addition, the horsemanship skills of local Indigenous people helped to shape the early days of ranching in the Chilcotin and southern Cariboo.
For those wishing to learn more, immersive experiences including Indigenous storytelling, history, and culture are available throughout the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast.
The Gold Rush Trail
The Gold Rush Trail lies on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of six prominent Indigenous nations, each with their own unique traditions and experiences: Kwantlen, Stó:lō (STOH-lo), St’át’imc (stat-lee-um), Nlaka’pamux (ing-khla-kap-muh), the Carrier, and the Secwepemc (shi-huep-muh-k).
Visit the award-winning Xatśūll (hat-sull) Heritage Village north of Williams Lake and experience their spiritual, cultural, and traditional way of life with one of their daily tours. Consider an excursion with Xwisten Experience Tours, located in St’at’imc Traditional Territory and offering guided tours of the traditional Bridge River fishing grounds. The same territory is also home to Splitrock Environmental, an award-winning Indigenous business that specializes in ecological stewardship, environmental monitoring, native plant propagation, and ethnobotany.
Head to Fraser Valley the for a Stó:lō tour where you’ll meet the people, learn Hal’qeméylem place names, view cultural artifacts, and explore educational kiosks, shops, and traditional artwork.
Click here for more information on indigenous travel on the Gold Rush Trail.
Chilcotin
Fraser River | Mike Wigle
In the Chilcotin, Indigenous people were also involved in the early days of one of the region’s key experiences, ranching. Many families today continue to work in the ranching industry and participate in the local rodeo circuit.
Nemiah Valley Lodge offers Xeni Experiences where you can learn to drum, dance, and sing traditional Tŝilhqot’in (chil-ko-tin) songs, learn from local artisans, or visit their traditional village.
Many First Nations’ peoples call the region home, including in the high-altitude plateau of the Chilcotin (chil-ko-tin) with the Tsilhqot’in (steelh-coht-een), southwest of the mighty Fraser River with the St’át’imc (stat-lee-um) and their neighbours in the southern Fraser Canyon the Nlaka’pamux (ing-khla-kap-muh). The Carrier people occupied the sub-boreal northern area of the Cariboo Chilcotin and the Secwepemc’s (shi-huep-muh-k) historical territory is located east of the Fraser River.
Great Bear Rainforest
Bella Coola | Tyler Cave
Archaeological findings in the Great Bear Rainforest indicate First Nations settlements dating back over 10,000 years, highlighting an Indigenous presence since the conclusion of the last Ice Age. First Nations have lived in the area for millennia, deeply intertwining our culture, experiences, and livelihoods with its forests, rivers, and sea.
Along the Pacific coast, Indigenous nations include the Nuxalk (new-hawk) in the Bella Coola Valley, the Tsimshian (sim-she-an) on the outer coast, the Gitga’at (git-gat), the Wuikinuxv (whee-kin-au) in Rivers Inlet, and the Heiltsuk (hel-sic) near Bella Bella.
Visit the Heiltsuk Cultural Education Centre in Bella Bella, embark on petroglyph tours with Copper Sun Journeys in Bella Coola, and explore Copper Sun Gallery for authentic Nuxalk art, jewelry, and clothing.
Places to Stay
Klemtu | Mike Wigle
When venturing to the stunning Cariboo Chilcotin Coast for immersive Indigenous experiences, consider Indigenous-owned accommodations to take your rest. These places celebrate Indigenous culture and community, offering a variety of unique and comfortable options.
Located in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest, Spirit Bear Lodge provides an authentic wilderness experience in connection with nature. For a cozy Indigenous atmosphere amidst unparalleled nature along the Gold Rush Trail, book a stay at Lil’tem Hotel near Lillooet. Meanwhile, Nemiah Valley Lodge in the Chilcotin offers all-inclusive stays and delicious Indigenous-inspired cuisine in a pristine location, ensuring a memorable experience. For a full list of places to stay and experiences, navigate through the list at the bottom of this page.
The Cariboo Chilcotin Coast offers myriad opportunities for sightseeing and cultural experiences. When exploring the region, remember that it’s essential to practice responsible travel and respect the diverse languages, traditions, stories, and cultural practices of each Indigenous nation.
