Vancouver, Coast & Mountains

Welcome to Klahoose Wilderness Resort, an exceptional Indigenous cultural experience nestled in the heart of British Columbia's breathtaking Desolation Sound. As a proud, 100% Indigenous-owned eco-resort, we offer a unique and off-the-grid escape for those seeking an authentic wilderness adventure. Our resort specializes in crafting unforgettable 3 to 4-night all-inclusive packages, including spring bear tours, grizzly bear viewing during the fall salmon run, and cultural and wildlife experiences throughout the seasons. Nestled between the majestic Coast Mountain peaks of British Columbia's Sunshine Coast and the Northern Islands of the Salish Sea, our resort sits along Homfray Channel. Upon your arrival, you'll be warmly welcomed with a traditional Klahoose greeting on the lodge's verandah. As you take in the breathtaking surroundings, your worries will vanish amidst the calls of osprey, the sight of Orca whales gracing the waters, and the soothing ocean breeze wafting through the conifer forest. At Klahoose Wilderness Resort, we offer an intimate and worry-free experience suitable for families, couples, and solo travelers eager to immerse themselves in one of the planet's most biodiverse ecosystems. Your days here will be filled with transformative adventures, from witnessing Grizzly bears fishing for salmon to kayaking alongside playful porpoises and embarking on forest hikes through ancient western red cedar groves. Surprisingly accessible despite its seclusion, Klahoose Wilderness Resort welcomes guests from Vancouver, Seattle, Vancouver Island, and beyond. You can choose to travel by air (just a 35-minute scheduled flight from Vancouver to Powell River, or a 1-hour charter seaplane directly to our dock), by car and ferry (a scenic half-day drive), or by boat (a quick 45-minute trip from Lund to the Resort) to reach our convenient shuttle departure sites in Lund on the Sunshine Coast or Campbell River on Vancouver Island. Desolation Sound has earned its nickname as the "Serengeti of North America" due to its abundant marine and terrestrial wildlife. Orca and humpback whales, porpoises, harbor seals, and dolphins can be spotted year-round. A myriad of avian species, including bald eagles, osprey, and great blue herons, call this region home. The indigenous tradition and guest experience both revolve around the local bounty of clams, oysters, crab, prawns, and all five salmon species. The inlets of Desolation Sound are renowned for hosting one of the world's most robust grizzly bear populations. The Klahoose First Nation also operates grizzly bear viewing tours, offering guests the opportunity to observe these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat, located just 45 minutes by boat from the resort in remote Toba Inlet. Natural exploration forms the cornerstone of our activities at the resort. Indigenous guides lead guests on immersive nature and cultural excursions in one of the largest temperate rainforests on Earth and Klahoose nation territory. Water enthusiasts can enjoy the warm, calm ocean waters with activities such as sea kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and invigorating swims. Plus, there's a serene woodfire sauna perched on a floating dock overlooking the ocean and mountains. Our resort caters to travelers of all ages and interests. The Lodge at Klahoose Wilderness Resort, a stunning 6,100-square foot timber structure crafted from local cedar, provides an intimate and tranquil environment. The main lodge boasts four spacious guest rooms, and we offer three separate cedar cabins, accommodating an average of 14 guests with a maximum capacity of 22. It's an ideal destination for private groups, multi-generational family getaways, or special occasions. Each guest room and cabin is adorned with indigenous artwork from surrounding coastal communities, and the common spaces offer breathtaking vistas of Desolation Sound. Guests come together for morning coffee and, after another remarkable day, gather for evening cocktails on the wraparound deck, where the setting sun bathes the Homfray Channel in a warm, golden glow. In Desolation Sound, each morning welcomes you to the diverse and vibrant wildlife foraging, nesting, and exploring their pristine habitat. For a few precious days from mid-August to mid-October, you're invited to join us in this sublime environment to observe grizzly bears in their natural habitat. Klahoose Wilderness Resort is also proud to operate off the grid, generating its own hydro power, and has been honored with a prestigious sustainability certification. At Klahoose Wilderness Resort, we offer a sanctuary where the days are filled with tranquility, the voices of nature, ancient forests, and rich indigenous culture. From the moment we welcome you to our home, we take care of every detail, ensuring a truly unforgettable experience.

VNHS opened Skwachàys Lodge, the Urban Indigenous Fair-Trade Gallery, and the Artists in Residence Program in June of 2012. The former Pender Hotel was transformed from a three-and-a-half-story derelict SRO hotel to a unique Indigenous social enterprise that combines a boutique hotel with a street-level art gallery, that supports on-site housing and studio space for 24 Indigenous artists. VNHS identified the vulnerability of many urban Indigenous artists artists in need of housing, artists who for various reasons are not able to properly represent and market themselves or their work. Often these artists are commercially exploited through a long established street or underground market that takes advantage of their vulnerability. They try to live off their work by selling on the street or in the bars or through the commercial dealer network that purchases original, gallery quality art for, at times, only five or ten cents on the dollar. By creating a live/work supportive complex with a built-in gallery and community production space, VNHS took a lead role in addressing the social and economic inequities that Indigenous artists can face. The Artists in Residence Program is a unique and life-changing housing program for practicing Indigenous artists. The program includes very affordable housing in clean, unfurnished bachelor suites, 24/7 access to shared artist workshops, and participation in programming opportunities for personal and professional development that help artists develop their craft and move into the next phase of their careers. A 3-year residency in the program is dependent on successful program participation and the achievement of self-defined career goals. Emerging, mid-career, and senior artists are welcome to apply. To date we have had over 110 Indigenous artists complete the program. The Lodge, the Urban Indigenous Fair-Trade Gallery and production space are operated as a self-sustaining social enterprise. Artists are paid a fair price for their work. The model follows the established practices found in the art world. Generally an artist receives between 30%-60% of the retail price depending on the artists reputation and the cost that is underwritten by the gallery (framing, marketing and promotional expenses.) In short, when a guest spends their overnight travel dollars at the Skwachàys Lodge there is a social impact people are housed. When a guest, a member of the community or a company purchases authentic Indigenous art at the Fair Trade Gallery, there is a social impact a simple purchase fights cultural misappropriation and ensures that Indigenous artists are paid fairly for their work. Cultural tourism is one of the fastest growing segments of the tourism sector and there is absolutely a place for our urban Indigenous artists to participate in this industry as a means of reclaiming their lives and independence.

We grow the barley & hops, and brew our beer on the farm. Planting, harvesting, malting, brewing, drinking. We believe in showcasing the Locality of ingredients, the regionality of brewing, and the farmers role in making a great beer. Locality Brewing is also home to many television series such as Riverdale, Sabrina and When Calls the Heart.

Vancouver’s first Indigenous food truck Mr Bannock shares Indigenous cuisine, using fresh local ingredients and ancient cooking methods such as smoking clay and stone baking. Since 2018, Mr Bannock has catered events throughout Vancouver and has served thousands of bannock tacos.

The Bill Reid Gallery is the only public Gallery in Canada dedicated to contemporary Indigenous Northwest Coast Art and honours Bill Reid by exhibiting the Bill Reid SFU Art Collection as well as presenting special exhibitions and programs that build bridges between all peoples, including Indigenous and settler populations. The Gallery is conveniently located in the heart of downtown Vancouver and can be found within a short walking distance from the Canada Lines City Centre Station located in Pacific Centre or the Millenium/Expo Lines Burrard Station.