Rising above the Sea to Sky corridor, Black Tusk is one of the most recognizable landmarks in BC. For the Squamish Nation and Lil’wat Nation, it is far more than a volcanic peak. It represents a shared history, shared territory, and enduring relationships with the land.

Known as T’ak’t’akmu’y’in Tl’ain7iny’a’xe7en in Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Sníchim and Nq’el’qámtensa ti Skenknápa in Lil̓wat7úl Ucwalmícwts, Black Tusk is connected to the Thunderbird, whose actions caused the volcano to erupt. Following this event, both Nations were instructed that the Whistler valley would become a place for seasonal camps. Black Tusk became the landmark marking the beginning of their shared territory.

The dramatic lava fields in the Nass Valley tell both a geological and cultural story, revealing how Indigenous oral histories preserve memory, place, and teachings across generations.

The 90-kilometre Nisga’a Lands Auto Tour includes Anhluut’ukwsim Lax̱mihl Angwinga’asanskwhl Nisg̱a’a (Nisg̱a’a Memorial Lava Bed Park), formed during the most recent volcanic eruption in Canada approximately 300 years ago.

Nisga’a oral history tells of two children who mistreated salmon despite an Elder’s warning that disrespect would bring consequences. Soon, the earth shook, and lava flowed through the valley. As villages were engulfed, the powerful being Gwaxts’agat emerged and blew against the advancing lava until it cooled and stopped, then returned to the mountain, where the being is said to remain today.

Looking across the Fraser Valley, Lhílheqey is more than a striking mountain. For the Stólō, it is a guardian whose responsibility continues today.

Stólō Elders share that Lhílheqey was a woman who married Mount Baker before returning to her homeland along the Stólō (Fraser River) with her daughters and faithful dog. The Transformer, Xexá, turned her into stone and entrusted her with protecting the river, her people, and the salmon that continue to sustain them.

One of Vancouver’s most photographed landmarks is better understood through its Indigenous name and teachings than its colonial name.

Known to many visitors as Siwash Rock, Slhx̱í7lsh (Standing Man), also called Lhilhxí7elsh by the Squamish Nation, has long represented family, commitment, and transformation. The commonly used name “Siwash,” derived from the French word sauvage (“savage”) through Chinook jargon, is now recognized as derogatory.

According to Squamish teachings, an expectant father was purifying himself before his child’s birth when the Xáays (Transformer Brothers) recognized his devotion and transformed him into stone. His wife, S7ens, and child were also transformed and remain beneath the Lions Gate Bridge at the First Narrows of Burrard Inlet.

In the heart of Tŝilhqot’in Title Lands, Ts’ilʔoŝ is a sacred mountain where landscape and cultural teachings are inseparable.

According to Tŝilhqot’in oral history, Ts’ilʔoŝ was once a man who lived near Xeni Biny (Konni Lake). After separating from his wife, ?eniyud, each remained with three of their children before both parents and children were transformed into the mountains overlooking their respective valleys. Visitors are respectfully asked not to point at either mountain, as doing so is believed to bring bad luck.