Museums

The Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre is a three-story, 30,400-square foot award-winning cultural centre designed to blend the traditional Squamish Longhouse with the Lil'wat Istken. Cultural Ambassadors share their knowledge and stories with guests, augmenting the information shared throughout the centre's curated collection of artifacts and contemporary pieces. Traditional drum songs are shared at the top of each hour. The facility is designed to evoke a traditional Squamish longhouse and a Lil'wat Istken (pit house) and is surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery. This thriving cultural centre shares meaningful experiences, educating all, and lifts their two distinct cultures.

Due to Covid19 U'mista will be open for reduced hours and occupancy and no public washroom available at this time. U'mista Cultural Centre is one of the longest-operating and most successful First Nations cultural facilities in BC, founded in 1980 as a ground breaking project to house potlatch artifacts which had been seized by government during an earlier period of cultural repression. The return of the potlatch artifacts not only provided U'mista's name ('the return of something important'), and sparked a general trend toward repatriation of First Nations and cultural artifacts, it caused the creation of a physical facility and human resources infrastructure which have been successfully operated for over two decades.U'mista now operates a modern museum and cultural education facility in Alert Bay. Their operations include the museum, an extensive art gallery and gift shop, group tours, and presentations by dance troupes.

The Musqueam Cultural Education Resource Centre and Museum features historical objects, contemporary art and a place to share Musqueam history and culture through song, stories, tours and activities. General admission $5. Guided group tours of the land and museum $300 (by appointment) land tours include the Chinese Market Gardens and the special relationship between the Chinese and Musqueam.

Through the Haida Heritage Centre at Kay Llnagaay we celebrate the living culture of the Haida. Through our language, art and stories we share our relationship with the land and sea that which shapes, nourishes and sustains us. Kay Llnagaay protects and fosters Haida culture by reaffirming our traditions and beliefs, encouraging artistic expression, and serving as a keeper of all that we are. Kay Llnagaay is a place for the Haida voice to be heard. The Haida Gwaii Museum opened in 1976 and continues to build an international reputation for showcasing Haida historical and contemporary art, All-Island artists and an outstanding collection of objects, artifacts and scientific material culture. The Museum is committed to encouraging and facilitating creative dialogue and exploring a more holistic and critical view of the multiple and diverse ways of understanding Haida Gwaii home to one of the most prominent Northwest Coast First Nations cultures (Haida), and rich ecosystems in Canada.