By Indigenous Tourism British Columbia
In the same way that nature hibernates as winter’s darkness takes hold, First Nations communities would hunker down during the cold months—focusing their energy on sharing stories, cultural practices, and gathering—and their shelters became an extension of this close, warm, slower-moving time together.
In regions where the turn of winter was particularly harsh, winter homes that were far more permanent and durable replaced the nomadic and lightweight pole-framed shelters seen from spring to fall.
In the lands of the Secwepemc, Stl’atl’imc, Ktunaxa, Nlaka’pamux, and Tsilhqot’in, pit houses made of soil and wood were predominantly the preferred winter home. Pit houses are semi-submerged in the ground, providing geothermal insulation and protection from the harshest elements and winter storms–vital in regions where historic lows have reached -42C and snowfall amounts could pile up to two metres.
Picture something akin to a root cellar or subterranean earthhouse. First, soil would be excavated at a chosen site to create a hole. Most kekulis that have been noted across BC range from about 8-10 metres in diameter and 1.5 metres deep. A large pit home could be as much as 20 metres in diameter, allowing for up to 30 people to live in community.
Once the hole was dug, four posts would be put in to support four beams—usually made of cedar—before soil was filled around the posts. A roof would be created out of grasses or in areas with more rainfall, cedar bark, and then the excavated earth from the pit would be spread and compacted over the roof. Between Nations, the shapes of pit houses can vary—some are more circular and squat, while others are more cone-shaped.
A continuously burning communal fire pit burned outside the pit home to minimize smoke and danger within. Firekeepers would carry hot rocks into the centre to keep it cozy and warm through the cold, especially at night. A hole in the middle of the kekuli roof allowed smoke to escape and was also an additional access point by a wooden ladder. There would also usually be a side entrance.
In keeping with Indigenous perspectives of living in harmony with the land, the earthen roof of a pit house could grow grasses again—minimizing damage to the ecosystem. It also created camouflage as the home blended seamlessly into the landscape, including when covered in snow.
Spring, summer, and fall were spent on sustenance practices in preparation for winter. It was vital to survival to ensure enough food was caught and gathered to be dried, smoked, and stored to see entire communities through the winter. Kekulis were built near a water supply with a food cache inside or with a smaller food store close by.
Today, protected sites hold remnants of these semi-submerged structures, known as housepits or depressions. Tsútswecw Provincial Park, east of Kamloops, has archaeological evidence of large settlements, as does Kekuli Bay Provincial Park, a two-hour drive south near Kelowna. Respectful encounters with these protected places of cultural and historical significance are vital.
Feed Your Intrigue in Traditional Winter Homes
McLeese Lake
Join the Xatśūll First Nation—the northernmost Secwépemc Nation—just north of Williams Lake for a guided tour of a “kikule” in its entirety at their national award-winning heritage site: Xatśūll Heritage Village. You’ll also have the chance to compare this ancestral home to teepees other Indigenous groups lived in and experience other structures tied to local ceremony and tradition, like a sweat lodge.
Enderby
Revel in stillness and let your mind wander to envision what it would have been like spending a harsh winter in a kekuli as you sit within one of Quilakwa RV Park’s two kekulis. Celebrate the kekuli’s purpose as a place of meaningful connection by renting the space for an intimate gathering. Carve out the opportunity to deepen your engagement with Splatsin, the southernmost Secwépemc Nation, history and living culture by having a Splatsin Knowledge Keeper host your event.
Chase
Arrive at the Skwlāx te Secwepemcúl̓ecw-owned Quaaout Lodge and Spa through their evocative hotel lobby, which is architecturally inspired by a kekuli. Enjoy a delicious meal on the patio or a round of golf before visiting Tsútswecw Provincial Park, just minutes away from the lodge.
West Kelowna | Kamloops | Merritt
Experience the kekuli-style warmth that Indigenous hospitality radiates at one of the Kekuli Cafe locations across the Thompson-Okanagan region. Named by owner Sharon Bond-Hogg, a member of the Nooaitch First Nation, in celebration of her culture and cuisine, visitors to Merritt, Kamloops, Westbank, and Kelowna can dine on Kekuli Cafe’s signature gourmet bannock for an authentic taste of Indigenous culinary tradition.
Whistler
At the Sk̲wx̲wú7mesh L̓il̓wat7úl Cultural Centre in Whistler, evidence of an Istken-Pithouse remains in the centre’s outdoor space while a Lil’wat Nation pit house partially inspires the building itself. Join a tour with a Cultural Ambassador to fully immerse in Sk̲wx̲wú7mesh L̓il̓wat7úl perspectives and elevate your understanding by enjoying the indoor exhibits afterward.
Lillooet
From June to September, through their Archaeological Village Tour, Xwísten Experience Tours ensures respectful encounters with archaeological sites on the lands of the St’át’imc People. Over 80 s7ístkens have been identified here, and there’s the opportunity to imagine life inside one by journeying into a s7ístken built on-site by the community. Experience the sustenance practice of wind-drying salmon to preserve it through winter, and round off your tour with a delicious salmon BBQ and bannock.
Osoyoos
At the Osoyoos Indian Band-owned 50-acre Nk’mip Desert Cultural Centre, begin your visit with indoor exhibits that showcase the deep cultural and spiritual ties of the Syilx Okanagan Nation to the natural landscape and its non-human inhabitants. Carry this knowledge with you as you wander the desert trails that take you to a traditional village with a q’ʷc’iʔ (pit house) and sweat lodge.
