First Nations is the contemporary name used for the Aboriginal people of British Columbia in Canada. They have been known by various names like Indians, Natives, Native Americans, American Indians, or Amerindians. Irrespective of the name you choose to address these people, these are the original inhabitants of the land that we now know as Canada. You could call them the Indigenous people of Canada. They lost their lands and identities to the Europeans when they first landed here a few centuries back. Today, British Columbia First Nations people are reclaiming their identity by reclaiming public places that showcase their art.
They are documenting their languages that were always spoken and never written and recording their oral histories. Everywhere I traveled in Canada, I could prominently see their imprint. Mostly this was in the form of colorful wood-carved Totem Poles or painted walls. Souvenir shops were full of artifacts with tribal motifs.
I am always most fascinated by the oldest living parts of any place. So, in British Columbia, I was fascinated by the tribes. I wanted to know all about their history, their culture, their faith, their practices, their crafts and decipher the stories hidden in their Totem Poles.
Who are British Columbia First Nations Aboriginals?
We know they are aboriginal people and that they were called Indians earlier. But who are these people? Is it one homogenous tribe or do they have different tribes within them? Did these people have any contact with the rest of the world? Did they always live here or did they come from somewhere else? What happened when the Europeans landed here in 18th CE and what kind of interactions they had?
Well, be prepared for a surprise. There are more than 600 First Nations Communities in Canada and there are about 200 of them in British Columbia First Nations.
One of the theories of the origins of First Nations says that these people came from Siberia thousands of years ago. They came via land and sea routes and landed somewhere in Alaska. From there, they started moving around and settling down in different places. This looks plausible as the features of many people do have chubby cheeks and small eyes. However, most tribal people believe that they have lived here since time immemorial.
Ontario has the largest aboriginal population in Canada followed by British Columbia. In British Columbia, the first tribal groups were defined by the distinct languages they spoke. The map below shows the tribe names and the languages they speak.
The northwest coast of Canada was inhabited because of the abundance of food available here – especially the fish besides the ample vegetation. These tribal people would spend 7-8 months of the year wandering and collecting food for the 4-month-long winter. It was during these winter months that they would sit and carve wood & create some beautiful artifacts used for practical and spiritual use.
European Colonization
When Europeans landed on the North West Coast of Canada, both parties welcomed each other in their own way. As the Europeans started settling down, they pushed the British Columbia First Nations people away from their areas. They wanted the land so these people had to move away.
Unfortunately, the worst thing Europeans brought with them were the diseases that the local people had no immunity to. This led to major deaths among the tribal people especially because they were communicable diseases like smallpox and measles. One infected person killed the whole village. They not only lost their lands and livelihoods but also succumbed to the newly arrived diseases.
Europeans thought native Indians were not able to cope with modernity. They started collecting their artifacts for their museums back home – in their minds, they were preserving them for posterity.
Cedar Tree
Red Cedar Tree is at the heart of the North West Pacific Coast tribal people’s lives. This is one tree that can serve all their needs – right from making items of everyday use to ritual items. They used the red Cedar tree available in abundance here for clothing, housing, and transportation. They even weaved their baskets using the bark of the Cedar Tree.
Red Cedar Tree is called the tree of life in the tribal communities on the North West Pacific Coast. It is light and soft, allowing the users to manipulate it with the simplest of tools. Remember they used this in the pre-machine era. Cedar Tree has oil that repels water as well as bugs, so it was perfect for outdoor use. Yes, it is a natural pesticide.
Choosing Cedar Tree
At the Squamish and Lilawat Cultural Center in Whistler, the tour guide, who herself came from the Lilawat community spoke about how they chose the trees before taking their bark or before cutting them. She said – you hug the tree and only if you can touch your fingers while hugging can you take it from the tree. Otherwise, you leave it alone to grow. If your fingers touch, you pray to the tree and then take no more than 2 hands or 2 arm lengths of bark from the tree. After taking you to thank the tree for giving you the life-sustaining material.
It reminded me of the tree-worshipping people I had met at Achanakmar in Chhattisgarh. How similar are the aboriginal cultures across the world?
I saw a lot of images of Cedar Trees with barks taken off them – just about a couple of arm lengths taken and the rest of the trees left intact. They are called culturally modified trees.
At the same center, I made a small bracelet with the soaked Cedar tree bark, that I brought back as a souvenir with me.
At the Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver, I saw a box made of seasoned Cedarwood without any nails. It was made by bending or folding the seasoned wood. These boxes that are just stitched at one side are watertight – families used them to store anything from regalia to grain to water. Impressive!
Yellow Cedar has finer grains so it is used more for art pieces like the Bill Reid masterpieces we will soon see.
British Columbia First Nations Territories Map
This map across British Columbia shows the tribes, their names, and the regions they inhabited.
In Whistler, I gathered it belongs to Lilawat people who lived a little north of Whistler. To the South of Whistler is the land of the Squamish people. Vancouver City is the land of the Musqueam people while in Victoria it is the Songhees, Saanich, and Esquimalt people who inhabited it. Why I am mentioning these – well, I visited the lands of these people, so acknowledge that.
There has been evidence, like the presence of shells that are not native that indicate that the tribes were trading with the other parts of the world.
Story of Haida Gwaii
An interesting fact that I learned about Haida Gwaii Island was that it was called Queen Charlotte Island. When the British Captain George Dixon arrived on these islands in 1790 – one of his ships that were called Queen Charlotte. She was also the queen of King George III of England for whom the captain was claiming the island. However, in 2010 the Haida tribe in a ceremony returned the name and now the island is called Haida Gwaii or the land of the Haidas.
Interestingly, the tribes never signed any treaties with the colonial powers. They never sold their lands and never surrendered anything to them, which many other tribes did during those times. So, a lot of land titles still belong to them. A lot of them are in courts trying to reclaim their lands, their names, and their space on the map of the world.
The faith
Like most ancient tribes, their people also worshipped nature. I watched a video at Whistler Cultural Center that talked about how they worshipped the mountains, the rivers, the earth, and their ancestors. They believe that the good people were turned into mountains – which means mountains are their ancestors. They talk about their living relationship with rivers, forests, and mountains.
Ancestor worship is the most prevalent one. In their ritual dances and ceremonies, their ancestors descend down and are present there to bless or to witness. This is done through the elaborate masks that they wear while dancing. Like in Ramlila at Ramnagar, they become the person or the spirit that they are portraying.
Similarly, the transformation was possible between humans and animals. However, religion remained a private affair and not a public one. Rituals and ceremonies were performed either at home or in spirit houses.
Stories
There are a few stories I heard from the vast collection of their folk tales. There is a common story about how a raven brought light to Earth by stealing the sun. You would hear different versions of it from different tribes. There is a story about Dzunukwa – a woman who stole children. This is a story that mothers would tell children to put them to sleep.
British Columbia First Nations Aboriginals Art
Their art has two distinct eras. One set of artifacts belongs to the pre-colonization era. This includes original Totem Poles, Wood carving panels, everyday use items, woven blankets, ritual regalia, etc. These items can now be seen in various museums around the world. All the old art has been done by anonymous artists – they were probably artist guilds who were commissioned by the noble families.
Famed Artists
The second set is the revivalist artifacts by modern artists who are using the same motifs but making modern artworks. The credit for this revival goes to one artist – Mungo Martin who came from the Kwakwaka’wakw tribe of British Columbia First Nations. He was a master sculptor, a poet & a musician who carved Totem Poles even during the Potlatch ban. He will be best remembered for training the next generation of woodcarvers in the community people. And he also insisted that carving Totem Poles is spiritual work. It is done to honor their ancestors. This in a way worked in bringing pride back in the community.
Bill Reid is another artist who was half First Nation from his mother’s side and he created some huge sculptures combining both sides of his lineage. One of his masterpieces in Jade can be seen at the Vancouver Airport. It shows a canoe full of humans and animals.
Another one of his works was featured on the Canadian $20 currency note. Now, that is quite an honor for a contemporary artist.
Look for his Raven & the First Men sculpture at the Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver.
Emily Carr is the most famous modern artist of British Columbia. She also began by painting totem poles and you can see her works at the Vancouver Art Gallery and at the Audain Museum in Whistler.
Let me walk you through some of the community common artworks:
Totem Poles
These are tall carved wood poles. They are oral storytelling poles that tell the story of the family that erected them. They tell about the status and the wealth of the family.
Most Totem poles have human figures, animal figures, and some mythical elements. The families or clans were identified by animals like bears, or, frogs, or, ravens etc. This animal would then be part of all paraphernalia associated with the family including the Totem Poles.
Each of the communities had its own way of carving and its own design elements. For example, Haida pieces can be identified by the shape of the eyes that they carve as Ovoid or squarish roundel. Even contemporary artists would use these key elements to depict their heritage.
Totem poles could be raised only by chiefs or high-ranking families. Not everyone could raise the poles.
Carved wood panels exist on the walls of the houses.
Aboriginals Canoes
Canoes were used for fishing and transportation across rivers. They were the prized possession of First Nations people. These long narrow boats were carved out of a single Cedar tree – mostly red cedar tree but sometimes yellow too. They took the trunk of a single tree and then scooped out the wood to create a hollow space.
Once it is hollow enough, it would be steamed – yes by heating it. The steaming process can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to a few months depending on the size of the canoe. The wood has to be soft enough for the craftsmen to work on it. Once it is soft enough, a group of men would pull it on either side to give it the required width.
Canoes were carved as per the waters they were to ply on. For example, the islands of Haida Gwaii have rough waters so they needed big and sturdy canoes. On the other hand, Musqueams of Vancouver who mostly used canoes in the Fraser River for fishing needed basic flat-bottomed canoes. Squamish canoes can be as long as 75 feet in length.
Panels attached to the canoe for sitting have sacred images on them.
As soon as motors arrived, the fishermen shifted to motored boats. However, canoes are still made for ceremonial purposes.
I could see a special one at the Legislative Assembly building in Victoria.
Aboriginals Heritage Masks
All masks have a spiritual meaning to them and the curators will tell you that you must handle them respectfully with two hands. They are scared as they are part of rituals and ceremonies.
Some common masks you will see are:
- Raven Mask – It usually represents ancestors. Wearing it means bringing the ancestors to the ceremony.
- Bear Mask – It can be a family ancestor or play the role of someone who oversees the potlatch ceremony ensuring that everyone is doing their role and wearing their regalia.
- Eagle Mask – Used by the Eagle clan families
- Dzunukwa Mask or Wild Woman Mask – There is a story in every First Nations community about this woman who has a basket on her back. She picks up little children in her basket, takes them home, and has them for dinner. Dzunukwa has big red lips she moves around making a noise. Ironically, she is also a symbol of wealth & prosperity.
- Bakwas – This is a water creature who takes away drowned people and someone with the power to hypnotize them.
Bear in mind that each of the communities has its own ways to use masks and this is just an indicative description to give you an idea of how these masks are used.
Woven Baskets
At every museum, you can see baskets of various kinds woven from red cedar roots or bark. Some of them are loosely woven and some of them are so tightly woven that they can even hold water. Imagine the skill required to weave the soaked bark of a tree in a way that it would not even allow water to pass through it!
Weaving
Like most ancient tribes, British Columbia First Nations communities were also master weavers. They used the wool of the local sheep and a woolly white dog that it seems is extinct now. For colors, they used plant-based dyes.
The patterns on all the woven pieces I saw across museums were geometrical – which is again common across ancient communities. The fabric is coarse. Clothes woven for the chief carried the community symbols or icons.
In the late 19th, CE shiploads of machine-made blankets started coming to Vancouver and that was the end of hand-woven fabrics. The machine-made stuff was cheap and easily available, so why toil on collecting fur, spinning & weaving?
Life came full circle for British Columbia First Nations weaving when some women in the 1970s started learning the traditional way of weaving.
The Spindles that were used for weaving can be seen as a symbol at the inner harbor in Victoria.
Costumes & Jewelry
In their world, the costumes along with masks help you transform into another world. There are elaborate costumes like button blankets with family insignia or Chilkat’s. I loved the bone blanket holders I saw on Squamish costumes. There is jewelry made out of animal bones and silver. Basically, nothing that was taken from nature was wasted – everything was utilized.
Copper was a well-used metal among them though I did not see many old artifacts made of copper.
Potlatch
Potlatch is a sacred ceremony of the First Nations in Canada. Potlatch literally means ‘To Give’. This sacred ceremony has economic, political, and spiritual ramifications. Potlatch was done when the family raised a Totem Pole and everyone was invited to witness the event.
In the absence of written history, stories of the family were told at the Potlatch event, and gifts were given to everyone invited to Potlatch by the host family. The status of the chief’s family came from how much you could give away. Having said that, the gifts are given as per the status of the guest – big ones get the bigger gifts. It sounds so much like Indian weddings.
Potlatches were banned in British Columbia from 1884 To 1951. The Britishers did not understand the concept of collective ownership that first nations communities practiced. They also wanted to set up a very European model of governance so to enforce that they banned ceremonies like Potlatch. They would take children to be taught English and given Christian names. This was intentionally or unintentionally erasing their culture. Thankfully, the ban was lifted and you can witness a modern Potlatch if you have friends in the communities.
Potlatch Ceremony
A Potlatch ceremony begins with a long whistle sound that in a way announces the formal beginning of the ceremony. Potlatch involves mask dances with huge wooden masks. It is about bringing the ancestors alive through transformation. The chief also dances wearing his elaborate headdress along with a button blanket with the family crest on it. Button blankets are worn by the high-ranking people in the clans mostly but sometimes children can also wear them.
Potlatches are overseen by the women of the family. Any mistakes in the ceremonies are looked down upon and sometimes even fined. There is a lot of family prestige at stake if you make mistakes.
Salmon and seafood are the main foods served at Potlatches.
For more information on Potlatch – refer to this Wikipedia page.
Watch a video of a modern Potlatch ceremony.
Potlatches today are not as elaborate as they used to be in the past. However, they still have the same essence – they are about the family, about acknowledging and respecting their ancestors and hence their lineage.
Potlatches can be called for raising a pole, or, after the death of a family member of the chief or when the name is passed on from one generation to the next.
Aboriginal Tourism
As the First Nations reclaim their space in their own land, they are also venturing into aboriginal tourism. Check out their website. The tourism infrastructure of British Columbia is totally supporting them by showcasing their culture in all possible public places and museums.
Best Places to Know British Columbia First Nations Aboriginals
Here are some places where you can learn more about Aboriginal Tourism in British Columbia:
Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver
I highly recommend taking a guided tour of this museum. They tell you the story in a way that the culture and lives come alive. They will even tell you that some of the museums in New York, Berlin, London, etc have a much bigger collection of their art but that is all from the past. This museum is situated on their land and is in constant dialogue with the artisans. They regularly talk to community elders and the new generation to see what these artworks mean for each of them.
You can see a traditional Haida house behind the museum. There are all kinds of artifacts on display.
What I recommend is to sit back on comfortable red chairs and listen to them tell you their folk tales. I heard one of them for 10 minutes or so, but if I had all the time in this world, I would just sit back and listen to these stories while surrounded by the items that help me visualize those stories.
Royal BC Museum, Victoria
This is a beautifully curated museum that takes you through the history of the tribal people through various objects. I loved their Totem Pole gallery which almost gives you a feeling of being in an aboriginal village.
The best part of the Royal BC Museum at Victoria is its documentation of the languages of the tribes. You can see how they are trying to document the spoken languages by recording with elders. How they are developing a script that has all the sounds their languages have using the Roman script. You can enter small cells and hear the language to know how they sound. You can press the button and hear a greeting in the different First Nation’s languages.
How I wish we could do this for all vanishing languages of the world.
Squamish and Lil’wat Cultural Center, Whistler
This small but lovely center was my first introduction to the tribal communities. The center talks about two tribes – Squamish which lives a bit south of Whistler and Lil’wat which lives a little North of Whistler.
I loved the guided tour and the small video showing their cultures and traditions. I had Goosebumps while watching the video & while exploring the souvenir shop. And I knew I would re-align the rest of my trip to know more and that is exactly what I did.
Audain Museum, Aboriginals Art, Whistler
This museum also takes you through both the old and the new Aboriginal’s art. Here I saw this amazing wood-carved screen that is used for performances. It reminded me of Arjuna’s Penance in Mahabalipuram where we have a backdrop full of stories for a performance stage.
All around the screen is Salmon – the key food around which life is sustained. In the center of the screen are all the animals who rely on salmon for food. On one side of the screen is the female killer whale on another side is the male killer whale. Up above a Raven is holding two humans. In the center is the Shaman sitting on a door panel. The dancers would come in through this screen indicating that they are coming from a spiritual world. The shaman is the witness to the performance.
There is so much more I want to know about these lovely people of British Columbia.
This is such an interesting and exhaustive post on the indigenous people of Canada! I have always been fascinated by Cultural Anthropology.
As,I read the story I could relate it with our India in so many ways.Just day before,I attended Indian art & culture sessions by Shri.Benoy( I am sure you know him..because we share similar interests) and we had discussed the effects of Colonialism on the world.
It is indeed sad and painful that the legitimate occupants of the land ought to live in denial and in an identity crisis!
I am also glad that they have started imprinting their past and works in writing.A late wake-up call but very much needed if we ought to protect our diverse cultural identities.
I also observed that they look so similar in photographs to the tribes settled in and around Orissa and Aruku!! Did you also find a resemblance ,ma’am?
Meenakshi – I could see a strong resonance with what happened to Indic culture in India. We need to come back as strong as them to reclaim our culture. I could see a resemblance in features with North East people, not sure if Odisha and Andhra people resemble them.
The good part is now amidst all modernity too, you can miss their culture – it is everywhere to be seen and admired. They are championing the aboriginal tourism.
We have something similar in Europe like Dzunukwa and Bakwas. People tell kids that the “Perchten” will come from the mountains with a witch to take the naughty children. And my dad would smile now because he kept on trying to make us kids believe that the water man (like Bakwas) would come and take us if we go into the river. These are old believes from the Alps but then again I can see a similarity.
I find those indigenous people very interesting too and I think they have a huge knowledge about the surrounding nature of the area. Canada is huge after all and diverse as well! Do the indiginous people have territories like in the US where they are not under the countrie’s jurisdiction?
Wow, all the ancient cultures are so distinct, yet so similar. We all have stories to communicate the message which were far more effective than preaching.
All the aboriginal communities lived with nature so they had a very strong relationship with their surroundings beside knowledge. As of now, all these communities are under the jurisdiction of Canada, but if there are others outside, I do not know. First Nations are reestablishing their culture as Canadians but carrying their first nation’s identity distinctly.
Canada is definitely on my list as a place I want to visit to and explore. Thank you for your in-depth introduction to the First Nations people in this post. I had no idea that they came from Siberia, that the cedar tree has SO many uses and it was a pesticide! Indigenous people certainly had/have such vast knowledge of the land, what plants to use. I also had no idea that totem poles told the story of the family that carved it! I hope that the First Nations will reclaim their lands back through the court. It’s about time!
Mags – To me it was all a discovery in few days in Canada. I did not know anything about First Nations – but am glad that I found them just about everywhere in British Columbia. They are reclaiming their heritage and everything they can & I think they are a great inspiration for aboriginals around the world.
I had no idea there was such a richness of Heritage in Canada in British Columbia. I particularly like the canoe with its motifs! And the story of finger touching if you are going to take from a tree. Fascinating
Fiona – all their stories, legends, and myths are so fascinating. I can go back just to explore them once again.
A really interesting and detailed post. We are hoping to visit Western Canada next year so the more we know about the rich heritage of the area, the better. Didn’t realise how many First Nations communities there were in Canada. The two eras of art are particularly fascinating.
It is lovely how the old art forms are being presented in modern forms or how the old motifs are replacing the usual abstract art. You would enjoy Western Canada.
Wow what an amazing article! I learned so much here! British Columbia has always been a dream for me, for its incredible landscapes, and now that I have been introduced to its First Nations communities and all this cultural heritage, it makes the whole thing much deeper and fascinating.
Julien, I just shared what I learned during my BC trip. Even I thought of British Columbia full of natural wonders – which it is, but this whole cultural aspect was a sheer discovery and what a joy it gave me.
Haidi Gwaii is definitely one of the best spots not only in B.C. but also Canada to learn about Aboriginal culture. I haven’t been to the island yet unfortunately, but have heard it’s an incredible experience!
Tamara – even I could not go to Haida Gwaii – I just heard their stories and saw a typical home of theirs at the museum of anthropology. I would also like to visit the island as and when I am there next.
This was a fascinating read. I have recently been to Alaska and loved the totem poles, so this was nice to read. Next time I go to Vancouver I will go to the First Nations Art at Museum of Anthropology as it looks very interesting.
Lucy – and now I want to go to Alaska to see the Totem Poles there. Culturally the First Nations of BC are related to the first nations of Alaska.
Wow, I learned so much about Canada. Those portraits and masterpieces are absolutely stunning and rich with history. It must be a very amazing cultural experience. It’s also a shame that it is the first time I heard of Aboriginal Tourism. Thank you for making me less ignorant today!
Kirstie – we all learn from each other. I have learned from each of the bloggers I have read. I also discovered aboriginal tourism for the first time in British Columbia. Now, my curiosity is raised and I want to see more and more of it.
Very interesting, when I think of aboriginal people, Indians (aka Native Americans) don’t come to mind. Nor that they were in Canada, but it makes sense. Good tip about cedar being a natural repellant. The details on the totem poles are amazing.
Debra – there is hardly anything we know about the native people across the world. My sense is that they are all coming out and soon we would see them more than ever, which is a wonderful thing. They have stayed in shadow for too long.
What an interesting history British Columbia has! I would love to go there and visit this part of the World one day and visit the local museums and see these artifacts you mention in your post. Sounds like it is a really fascinating place.
Barb, it is a fascinating history full of art history and culture. May you get to see it soon enough.
What a fascinating account of the Original inhabitants. Like you mention we can draw a lot of parallels with many other cultures including our own. I have added this to my list of things to do in Canada. Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas Nisha Ji. May you get to travel to BC soon.
Learnt something new today – I wasn’t aware of the name First Nations to describe the Canadian indigenous people. I really like it though, I feel it’s a very respectful name. I’m also very interested and fascinated by the people who came before us, and the communities and tribes who lived off the same land we live off today. I love that the First Nation’s imprint is so prominently displayed throughout BC, through their artwork, totem poles, and it sounds like there are many fabulous museums worth visiting. They created so many interesting things, from their canoes, to jewellery, baskets and masks!
Really interesting to know that the First nations from BC never surrendered or sold their land to colonialists. And it’s fabulous to hear that aboriginal tourism is really taking off, so that they can educate the rest of the world on their culture, preserve their history, and, most importantly, be the ones who benefit from the tourist $$
Thanks for this really interesting post!
Meg – Even I learned the meaning of First Nations after I landed in BC. It was such a learning experience for me and now such a joy to share this with traveling friends. Hope more and more visit first nations and help them grow more and help them preserve their culture.
I’ve seen several photos of the First Nations Group on books and movies, but I didn’t know they are from Canada.. Such an informative post to a group pf people who form part of Canada’s beautiful history.. Very interesting facts about the Totem Pole too. What a unique way of documenting a family’s status and wealth… 🙂
Marvi – They are in Canada, Hawaii and some parts of USA as well. I guess Totem Poles were a cultural version of printed word today. Every motif in them was loaded with meaning and history.
It’s indeed captivating to know about first nations, sometimes if we all have the luxury of time, we could just sit and listen to their stories and learn so much more deeply. The Totem poles reminded me of a first safari in the Philippines where Totem poles look alike were placed. Tho I’ve not seen First Nations, but only on movies, it’s also nice to read interesting things about them, a combination of culture, history and something more.
Oh, I did not know they have Totem Poles in the Philippines as well. I need to go there. I was totally fascinated by everything I could see, experience about First Nations and there is so much more I want to know about them.
As a Canadian myself, I am always fascinated how much more I learn everyday about this cultural group! It’s always so interesting to learn more about the people who came to our land before us. I love how they are so ubiquitous throughout BC, and epecially throughout the artwork!
As a Canadian myself, I am always fascinated how much more I learn everyday about this cultural group! It’s always so interesting to learn more about the people who came to our land before us. I love how they are so ubiquitous throughout BC, and especially throughout the artwork!
Alli – First nations history, culture, art is fascinating. What is even more interesting is that their culture shares so much with the aboriginal culture around the world including their art forms and storytelling.
Thank you for spreading awareness about the indigenous populations that have been so unfairly forgotten in the aftermath of colonization. This post has totally reignited my goal to further educate myself about native cultures and histories throughout the world- definitely necessary to understand the foundations of the places we call home.
Lois – Bingo! The more I read about First Nations of BC, more I am inclined to read about ancient cultures and explore them by visiting all the oldest inhabited places in the world.
This is amazing. As an American we frequently study First Nations peoples here (well … we study them historically. Somehow we seem to gloss over their current plights) but I admit I knew nothing about British Columbia’s First Nations peoples. I feel much more educated now thanks to this comprehensive post!
Thanks, Lia. Glad that you found the post on First Nations educative. Good to know that they at least teach you historically about First Nations – we in India hardly know about our aboriginal tribes.
This is a fascinating journey into the hearts and the origin of the indigenous people of British Columbia. Always intrigued by the origin and roots of any people and their culture. The great migrations of Man millions of years ago have resulted in myriad cultures mushrooming in different parts of the earth. But somewhere they all link together to one common origin. The faith practiced by the First Nations people where they worship nature has echoes of the Vedic age in India.
Yes, all ancient cultures lived in sync with nature. God knows when we distanced ourselves from all-pervasive nature around us. Wonder if it happened when we built physical walls between us.
The native people of Canada have such a fascinating and rich history. I live in Ontario and we have many native communities here. There are a lot of problems with the treatment of indigenous people over the years here and I’m not sure what we’ll ever make it right.
I’d love to go to British Columbia and see the totems and the native art that you’ve showcased! It’s beautiful.
Lauren – I believe Ontario has the largest population of First Nations. I want to visit Ontario and see how the people on two coasts are similar and different. I hope people reclaim their rightful position in the society where they have loved since time immemorial.
Wow, what an informative post! Love reading about all the traditions including the totem poles and masks. Glad to hear there are opportunities to learn about this culture through traveling. Thanks for teaching me about a new culture today.
Brian – It was such an immense learning experience at British Columbia to learn about these aboriginal people and to know that the tourism is getting more and more aligned towards their culture.
Your posts are so insightful and informative at the same time! ❤ It’s like reading a good book before bed!
Thank you, my namesake, for that lovely compliment. Do keep encouraging us.
Really it’s a very attractive place I am always fascinated to visit this kind of places. This place directly related to Canada’s history. The person who can’t even visit Canada earlier they can visit famous places through your blog.
Really you are doing a Great Job!