August 21, 2007

Aboriginal Culture and Heritage
Listen to a talking stick for BC’s Must See’s

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada --- Talking sticks would have a lot to say if they were to tell of Native culture and artwork. They might start with telling why the cedar trees that grow along the rugged west coast of British Columbia are considered sacred to the coastal First Nations. Cedar trees are viewed as a gift from the Creator that traditionally provisioned for most of the necessities of life, from canoes, clothing and cooking pots to houses and burial boxes. Elsewhere in the province the bounty of nature provided other gifts; animals for food, fur, and hide; plants and herbs for food and healing.

Historically, plentiful food supplies and relatively mild weather meant ample leisure time for the First Nations of British Columbia, time they used to hone their artist skills. Along the west coast they created a distintive regional artistic style, best shown in their majestic totem poles and dramatic masks, as well as in the hand carved gold, silver, and copper jewellery. Elsewhere in the province, basketery, beadwork and quillwork, along with weaving, knitting, and painting reached a very high level of craftsmanship. Native performing arts of storytelling, drumming, dancing, and singing are regionally distinctive and very engaging for audiences of all backgrounds and ages.

Throughout the province each First Nation has its own art, language, aboriginal culture, spiritual beliefs and traditions. This makes exploring British Columbia’s First Nations interpretive centers and museums a fascinating experience. In the south central part of the province the Nk'Mip Desert Cultural Centre (www.nkmipdesert.com) invites visitors to celebrate thousands of years of Okanagan First Nations habitation on desert lands. In the Fraser Valley, Xá:ytem (www.xaytem.ca) showcases the traditional lifestyle of the Coast Salish First Nations in pre-contact time and illustrates the continuity to modern lifestyles. On the north coast of the province, the Museum of Northern B.C. (www.museumofnorthernbc.com) illustrates the legacy of oral history, archaeological discoveries, outstanding works of art and unique artifacts that depict the ancient and modern history of the Tsimshian, Haida, Nisga’a, and Gitxsan First Nations. On Vancouver Island, Quw'utsun' Cultural and Conference Centre (www.quwutsun.ca) tells of the history of the Cowichan people and U’mista Cultural Centre (www.umista.ca) showcases repatriated Potlatch treasures and explains the significance of Potlatch ceremonies for the Kwakwaka'wakw People. On the Queen Charlotte Islands, the Haida Heritage Centre at Qay'llnagaay is a place for nurturing Haida culture and sharing it with the rest of the world (www.haidaheritagecentre.com). The local Aboriginal galleries offer unique art creations for sale.

P.S. Talking sticks don’t really talk. A talking stick was used by Natives to give each person the opportunity to speak uninterrupted in formal and informal meetings.

For information on Aboriginal art and First Nations experiences available in British Columbia, visit www.aboriginalbc.com. Art Galleries are also listed by area on this website.

Media Contacts:

Nora Weber
TerraCom Communications Group
P: 604 504 4457
E:

Summer Dhillon
TerraCom Communications Group
P: 604 614 4609
E: