First Nations Culture

Suggested time: 1 to 4 days

Experience Vancouver Island's rich Native culture on a tour from Victoria to Tofino on the west coast, then north to Alert Bay, off the coast from Port McNeill.

Royal British Columbia Museum 
Located near the Inner Harbour, the museum is renowned for North American Native exhibits and artifacts.

Thunderbird Park 
A totem pole display and a carving house ,with demonstrations in the summer, is located behind the Royal BC Museum.

Totem Tour 
More than 41 totems are featured on a self-guided walking tour through Duncan, known as the City of Totems. Free tours are available.

Quw’utsun’ Cultural and Conference Centre 
In Duncan, witness demonstrations of Native aboriginal arts, story telling, film presentations, music and dance.

Petroglyph Park 
Stone carvings found in Nanaimo are estimated at more than 10,000 years old.

Nanaimo District Museum 
See artifacts and a stone carving display.

Alberni Valley Museum 
In Port Alberni, visit the museum to see a Nuu-chah-nulth Native basketry collection.

Walk on the Wild Side Heritage Trail 
Located on Flores Island, the trail is accessible from Tofino via the Spirit of Marktosis water taxi.

Quadra Island 
The Kwagiulth Museum and Tsa-Kwa-Luten Lodge are accessible via a ten-minute ferry ride from Campbell River.

Alert Bay on Cormorant Island 
A traditional Big House, an exceptional potlatch collection, and Native dance performances (during the high season) are accessed by ferry from Port McNeill.