BC Indigenous Tours & Experiences

Xatśūll Heritage Village | Eco Escape Travel

The influence of Indigenous people as the first locals to the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast, arriving thousands of years ago, significantly shaped our region and continues to do so. Providing essential knowledge, services and guides to Canada’s first explorers and settlers, without their provision of food, translators, information, wilderness survival skills, and transportation the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast would not be what it is today. In addition, the horsemanship skills of local Indigenous helped to shape the early days of ranching in the Chilcotin and southern Cariboo.

Many First Nations’ peoples call the region home, including in the high-altitude plateau of the Chilcotin (chil-ko-tin) with the Tsilhqot’in (steelh-coht-een), southwest of the mighty Fraser River with the St’át’imc (stat-lee-um) and their neighbours in the southern Fraser Canyon the Nlaka’pamux (ing-khla-kap-muh). The Carrier people occupied the sub-boreal northern area of the Cariboo Chilcotin and the Secwepemc’s (shi-huep-muh-k) historical territory is located east of the Fraser River. Along the Pacific coast, Indigenous nations include the Nuxalk (nu-halk), residing in the Bella Coola Valley, the outer coast’s Tsimshian (sim-she-an) and the Gitga’at (git-gat), the Wuikinuxv (whee-kin-au) residing in Rivers Inlet and, along the coastal areas near Bella Bella, the Heiltsuk (hel-sic).

Immersive experiences including Indigenous storytelling, history and culture are available throughout the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast for those wishing to learn more. Visit the award-winning Xatśūll (hat-sull) Heritage Village north of Williams Lake or Heiltsuk Cultural Education Centre in Bella Bella, embark on petroglyph tours with Copper Sun Journeys in Bella Coola and visiting Copper Sun Gallery for authentic Nuhalk art, jewellery and clothing, staying at Spirit Bear Lodge northwest of Bella Coola, or consider an excursion with Xwisten Experience Tours. The new Nemiah Valley Lodge offers Xeni Experiences including learning how to drum, dance and sing traditional Tŝilhqot’in (chil-ko-tin) songs, learn from local artisans, or visit their traditional village.

Come and discover Indigenous experiences in the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast.