Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre in Whistler

Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre in Whistler Visit the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre in Whistler - authentic First Nation's Museum, Cafe, Gifts
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*Please note we are closed September 24 - 29, 2023 for urgent building repairs. We will OPEN on Saturday, September 30 for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Visit slcc.ca/visit*
The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre showcases Whistler’s First Nations through art, exhibits, food, film, tours, crafts, and live performances. The Center features a “Class A” museum, contemporary gallery, intera

ctive and outdoor exhibits, gift shop, café, forest walk, and theatre. Our tour begins with a welcome song followed by a 15-minute film; a spectacular visual portrayal of Squamish and Lil'wat traditional territories— featuring our languages, history and present-day lives. After the film, our tour allows you to view exhibits that explore our relationship to the land and objects that celebrate our traditions of art, music, and ceremony, past and present. In our contemporary gallery, view modern Native art from both nations. Try a variety of indigenous-inspired fares in our Café such as our traditional bannock and in-house salmon chowder. Admission to the Centre includes the welcome song, feature film, and guided tour. This is a family-friendly cultural activity where guests have the opportunity to interact and engage with our Aboriginal hosts during tours, and songs. This spectacular attraction is open year-round and is located on the shared traditional territories of the Squamish and Lil’wat First Nations in Whistler, BC. This is the only Centre in the world that has purposefully been designed to demonstrate how two distinct First Nations can share territory, knowledge, and cultural practices in a way that acknowledges the uniqueness of each. This is reflected not only in the architectural design, but also in the way exhibits, activities, and programming is offered. The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC) is a not-for-profit initiative, and provides meaningful employment to its 90% Indigenous Ambassadors. All proceeds from the SLCC are invested in training and cultural revitalization programs for the Squamish Nation and Lil’wat Nation.

Congratulations to T'ec Georgina Dan on being named a finalist for Rising Star of the Year in the 2026 Whistler Excellen...
08/24/2026

Congratulations to T'ec Georgina Dan on being named a finalist for Rising Star of the Year in the 2026 Whistler Excellence Awards, hosted by the Whistler Chamber of Commerce.

This is well-deserved recognition of T'ec’s continued growth and deep commitment to cultural leadership at the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre (SLCC). Through her work as Assistant Manager of Cultural Growth and Sharing and leader of the Spo7ez Performance team, T’ec is dedicated to shaping a meaningful path forward for her team, culture, and community.

The Rising Star of the Year Award recognizes a Whistler employee or businessperson who is making an impact beyond their years. Through outstanding success, community involvement, and a clear path toward leadership and future growth, finalists embody a culture of trailblazing and excellence.

The Excellence Awards shine a light on the people, businesses, and organizations that help make Whistler such an exceptional place to live, work, and visit. Every nomination helps recognize and celebrate the incredible work happening across our communities, and we are so proud to see T'ec recognized for her dedication and impact.

We look forward to celebrating T’ec as a finalist at the Whistler Excellence Awards Gala on Thursday, October 22, 2026, hosted by the Whistler Chamber of Commerce at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler.

Celebrating food, culture and partnership in the mountains! This summer, the Mountain Top Feast at Roundhouse Lodge on W...
08/22/2026

Celebrating food, culture and partnership in the mountains! This summer, the Mountain Top Feast at Roundhouse Lodge on Whistler Mountain brings recipes and culinary knowledge shared by the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC) and the team at Thunderbird Café & Catering to the table, with the Whistler Blackcomb team bringing them to life for guests to enjoy.

Enjoy a delicious celebration of culture and cuisine, featuring Cedar Plank Salmon, Three Sisters Salad, Candied Salmon Caesar Salad and Baked Bannock with Cranberry and Rosemary, along with a full menu of mouthwatering mains, fresh salads and delicious desserts, immersed in live music and incredible mountain-top views.

The culinary display features images of Squamish Nation youth using a type of chiyák̲ (fish weir) to channel the salmon (coho, chinook, pink and chum) toward the net or gaff hook at Xwemélch’stn, Capilano River. Palaténa7 Ernie Jim of the Lil’wat Nation is shown dip-netting for salmon on the fast-running, glacier-fed Birkenhead River. Ernie uses traditional and contemporary ways to fish for salmon. Together, the culinary setting offers a glimpse into the traditions, knowledge, and deep connection to land and water that continue to shape this place.

Guests can experience the Mountain Top Summer Feast every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening through September 6. Tickets are available now—savour the feast and the spectacular mountain-top setting. Proceeds support the ongoing work revitalizing culture and cuisine at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre in Whistler. Guests are invited to learn more on hourly tours on a visit to the SLCC, open Tuesday through Sunday.

The SLCC is grateful for the continued commitment of Whistler Blackcomb in Thunderbird Allyship with the SLCC and for bringing pride and visibility to the original peoples of the shared territory through cuisine and culinary traditions.
To learn more and book tickets for the Feast visit slcc.ca/wb

Spo7ez at Black Tusk by Logan Swayze Photography
Fishing photos by the late Gary Fiegehen, 2007, Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre

As our communities are out at Fish Camp, we’re taking a close-up look at gwel̓ílc ntsítcwten (Fish Camp) Diptych by Nake...
08/17/2026

As our communities are out at Fish Camp, we’re taking a close-up look at gwel̓ílc ntsítcwten (Fish Camp) Diptych by Nakeisha Williams, Ditidaht living in Lil'wat community and a current Ambassador on the SLCC team. Her work is featured in our current exhibit, Wisdom of the Animal People, in Gallery 3.

“The artwork captures our people hiking to their campsites to dipnet, hang wind-dried fish (tswan), practice our singing, use our hide drums, dance and pray in our traditional way (nt̓ákmen).”

Painted with acrylic on canvas, the full-size diptych measures 24” W x 18” H and 20” W x 16” H. It’s beautiful to see up close in the Gallery.

Salmon are an important part of our culture, food, and way of life. Wisdom of the Animal People shares how animals play important roles in Sk̲wx̲wú7mesh and Líl̓wat7úl cultures—we honour them in many ways. We wear their hides as clothing, feature them in artwork, and they’re central characters in our stories, songs and dances. They’re also important educational tools, sharing history, morals and values with our children.

Visit Wisdom of the Animal People in Gallery 3 during our regular hours, Tuesday–Sunday, 10am–5pm.

To learn more, visit slcc.ca/exhibit

Make an impact through the 2026 Spo7ez Silent Auction!The SLCC’s annual Spo7ez Auction raises funds for cultural revital...
08/13/2026

Make an impact through the 2026 Spo7ez Silent Auction!

The SLCC’s annual Spo7ez Auction raises funds for cultural revitalization and the Indigenous Youth Ambassador Program. From fine dining and hotel stays to gift cards, experiences, and authentic Indigenous art, there’s something for everyone!

Live from September 21 – October 5, 2026

Are you a Sea to Sky business or artisan? Donations of products and experiences are now being accepted! Your support helps advance reconciliation and cultural revitalization in Whistler.

Learn more & support the auction: slcc.ca/auction/

Explore our beautiful collection of drum bags featuring artwork from a variety of authentic Indigenous artists. Each des...
08/07/2026

Explore our beautiful collection of drum bags featuring artwork from a variety of authentic Indigenous artists. Each design tells a story and offers a meaningful connection to Indigenous art and culture.

This 15" bag design is by Jason Peters, born in Hope, BC, of Salish ancestry. Jason has been painting for over 25 years, inspired by the formline and character of coastal design. His work reflects a deep appreciation for art, nature, and the traditions that have influenced his creative journey.

Feather — Honour, Courage, Wisdom. A meaningful design to carry with you.

Explore our range of drum bags, drums, and drumsticks at the Gallery & Gift Shop, shop in-store or the Drums collection under Music online at slcc.ca/shop

Join us for the Spo7ez Artist Market on Sunday, from 10am  - 4pm, as part of the summer series at the Squamish Lil’wat C...
07/29/2026

Join us for the Spo7ez Artist Market on Sunday, from 10am - 4pm, as part of the summer series at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre in Whistler.

Browse handcrafted works and wellness products from Squamish and Lil’wat artisans. The market continues the first Sunday of each month throughout the summer - August 2 and September 6, as well as Wednesday, September 30 for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Pair your visit to the Whistler Farmers Market with a visit to the SLCC and support our Artisans!

To learn more about all our upcoming events, visit slcc.ca/events

07/29/2026

Congratulations to the Spring 2026 Indigenous Youth Ambassadors (IYA) graduates!

Through 10 weeks of cultural and tourism education at the SLCC, these incredible young leaders gained hands-on experience rooted in Indigenous knowledge, culture, and community. From Cultural programming to Food & Beverage and Retail, they built valuable workplace skills, confidence, and leadership while discovering what’s possible for their futures.

Before the graduation ceremony, graduates welcomed their families on guided tours, sharing stories and knowledge they had learned throughout the program—a meaningful way to celebrate how far they had come. Surrounded by family, friends, mentors, and community, we celebrated their achievements and this important milestone together.

Congratulations, graduates! We’re so proud of all you’ve accomplished and can’t wait to see where your journey takes you next.

We raise our hands to Indigenous Tourism BC, Whistler Blackcomb Foundation, First Nations Health Authority, Native Northwest, Sea to Sky Gondola, One Hundred Women Who Care, and recent donations from our community for supporting the Indigenous Youth Ambassador (IYA) Program. Your support ensures we are able to provide this incredible training to Indigenous Youth, as well as leadership and mentorship opportunities for our Ambassadors and community leaders.

To learn more and support this program visit slcc.ca/iya

Song: Victory Song, Squamish Nation led by Tsawaysia Dominique Nahanee and SLCC Ambassadors

For your next adventure or home dining, enjoy these Maple Smoked Wild Chinook Salmon, Alder Smoked Wild Sockeye Salmon, ...
07/25/2026

For your next adventure or home dining, enjoy these Maple Smoked Wild Chinook Salmon, Alder Smoked Wild Sockeye Salmon, and Candied Wild Keta Salmon, ready to eat and packed in a convenient pouch containing brine, similar to a traditional can. Each serving provides 28 grams of protein, making it a nutritious option for any meal.

This versatile salmon product can be used in salads, as a sushi filling, or to make salmon onigiri and dips. The shelf-stable packaging ensures freshness, and the indigenous designs on the pouch celebrate cultural heritage.

Authentic Indigenous Seafood is a supply chain cooperative of Indigenous fisheries across Canada, featuring small to medium-sized enterprises that are guided by traditional principles of ecological, cultural, and economic sustainability. All products are shelf-stable, wild-caught, and traceable to the Indigenous fishery that harvested them.

Shop our cuisine collection online at slcc.ca/shop or visit us in-store at the Gift Shop to see our full collection of ready-to-enjoy cuisine.

SLCC Cultural Ambassadors joined Squamish Nation Amalgamation Day celebrations today at Chief Joe Mathias Centre. This y...
07/24/2026

SLCC Cultural Ambassadors joined Squamish Nation Amalgamation Day celebrations today at Chief Joe Mathias Centre. This year’s Amalgamation Day, iy̓ím ta Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish Strong) community members came together to honour 103 years of community strength and the Nation’s enduring legacy since amalgamation and enjoyed a day filled with delicious food, rich cultural experiences, storytelling, live music, vendor booths, and fun activities happening in the Ḵw’eshḵw’shétsutay̓ (Playing Place).

07/23/2026

Today, we celebrate Squamish Amalgamation Day, and honour the sixteen hereditary Chiefs who came together on July 23, 1923.

Honouring Síiy̓am̓ (Chiefs), the Squamish house post on the left, is one of the two Sister Poles at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre in Whistler. Carved in 2023 by Xwalacktun Rick Harry and ʔAwxwell Brandon Hall, the top of the pole honours the Chiefs’ leadership, vision, and responsibility along with sixteen Salish ancestral eyes along each side. The canoe symbolizes unity and shared purpose, while the bear reflects strength, protection, and ancestral teachings.

Together with the Lil’wat Story Pole, gaw̓ílc wit i ucwalmícwa / The People Got Together, on the right, carved by Lil’wat Master Carver nkwel̓ánk Jonathan Joe, Redmond qáwam̓ Andrews, and westá7 Todd Edmonds. The Sister Poles celebrate the enduring relationship between the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) and the Lil̓wat7úl (Lil’wat Nation) and bring authentic representation to the shared territory in Whistler.

Visit the SLCC to experience the Sister Poles in person and plan your visit at slcc.ca/visit

Address

4584 Blackcomb Way
Whistler, BC
V8E0Y3

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+16049640990

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