CULTURAL JOURNEY

Phase II Sea to Sky Cultural Journey
Phase II of the Sea to Sky Cultural Journey was announced Wednesday March 16th at the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre. In attendance was Squamish and Lil'wat representatives as well as federal, provincial, municipal, corporate, and non-profit representatives, including John Weston, Member of Parliament for Sunshine Coast Sea-to-Sky Country.

Phase II of the Sea to Sky Cultural Journey will include a comprehensive mix of capital projects and educational programming that will consist of innovative programming as well as projects and developments including welcome figures carving, feature exhibitions and additional info kiosks. These efforts are supported by several key partners and are delivered in collaboration with local partner attractions, museums, and educational facilities.

The Sea to Sky Cultural Journey is a unique initiative of the Squamish Nation and Lil'wat Nation to generate aboriginal cultural tourism awareness, interest, and activity throughout the traditional territories in the Sea to Sky corridor.

Phase II expands upon a very successful Phase I which included Canada's first highway signage and way finder markers in ancestral languages, along with First Nations informational kiosks and an accompanying audio tour explaining the aboriginal culture, legends and history of the Sea to Sky Corridor.

March 16, 2011
Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre receives Government of Canada funding support
Press Release

Media requests:
Gwen Baudisch, Marketing Manager
Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre
Phone: 604.964.0997
gwen.baudisch@slcc.ca

Phase 1
Sea to Sky Highway Signage explains Aboriginal Heritage and Territory to Whistler Guests

The new Highway 99 sign shelters, gateway rock signs and aluminum guide signs are part of an initiative known as Cultural Journey Sea to Sky hosted by the Squamish and Lil’wat First Nations and coordinated by the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre in Whistler, BC.

Cultural Journey Sea to Sky is an initiative designed to revitalize aboriginal tourism in the Sea to Sky Corridor and to support the growth of the overall tourism industry through:

Interpretive Aboriginal Highway 99 Signage:
• 7 Cedar Hat Sign Shelters including 84 graphic panels
• 7 Viewpoint Sign Boards
• 138 Aluminum Guide Signs
• 14 Community Gateway Rock Signs
• Download the Sea to Sky Map
• Cultural Press Release

Sea to Sky Visitor guides (available Spring 2010):
• Print map/brochure explaining all interpretive features
• Narrated cd audio tour also available

Aboriginal Cultural Centre in Whistler:
• The $32million Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC) in Whistler is a spectacular Museum and Cultural attraction as well as the interpretive headquarters for Cultural Journey Sea to Sky.
• The SLCC coordinating the inclusion of other cultural, educational and adventure tourism businesses in a Cultural Journey Sea to Sky Adventure Passport program.

Aboriginal Tourism Training:
• The SLCC is becoming a hub for aboriginal tourism training for the region through it’s innovative Aboriginal Youth Ambassador Program.
• The program develops leadership, life and employment skills in Aboriginal youth through a blend of hands-on and accredited post-secondary training centered around the operation of the SLCC.

For more information on Cultural Journey Sea to Sky please contact Gwen Baudisch, Marketing Manager.gwen.baudisch@slcc.ca