There are just a few days left in Indigenous History Month and to check out “UNCEDED: S7ULH TEMÍXW / TI TMICWKÁLHA / OUR LAND – A Photographic Journey into Belonging”, a photo exhibition created and curated by the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre in Whistler.
Unceded Photo Exhibition at the Hyatt Regency Vancouver
This exhibit offers guests and visitors the opportunity to experience breathtaking places through a unique lens bringing a sense of belonging to Indigenous peoples. The exhibition features environmental portraiture of Nation members on the territories of the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), L’il‘wat7úl (Lil‘wat Nation), and their shared territories in Whistler.
In addition, there will be pop-up booths showcasing a variety of Indigenous-owned businesses, providing an excellent opportunity to explore and support local Indigenous entrepreneurship during the exhibition.
“As a research project, the exhibit invites audiences to reshape their understanding of land. It emphasizes that the land does not belong to us; we belong to the land. It also encourages us to reflect on our stewardship of the land.” – Mixalhítsa7 Alison Pascal (Lil’wat Nation), SLCC Curator of the UNCEDED exhibit.
Set in breathtaking Sea to Sky locations from K’emk’emeláy (Vancouver) to Ts’zil (Mount Currie) mountain, the UNCEDED photography exhibit asks the guest to look at the world through a different lens. Marrying regalia, elders, chieftainship with the modern world around us, reshaping how we view our presence here, bringing a sense of belonging to both the viewer and the people celebrated in the exhibit.
Read more about the photography, the artists, and exhibits at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre and follow along on Instagram for more info.
Island locals and visitors alike can enjoy a summer of adventure at the Malahat Skywalk near Victoria. There’s a lineup of activities over the next few months along with new experiences, and a free shuttle service.
Courtesy of Malahat Skywalk
Summer at the Malahat Skywalk
Date: Until September 15 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 9:00am to 6:00pm; Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday open until 7:30pm
With its elevated TreeWalk set deep in nature, panoramic views on the 10-storey Spiral Tower plus thrills along the mesh Adventure Net and eight-storey spiral slide, this award-winning attraction is a highlight attraction on Vancouver Island.
This weekend around Vancouver you can enjoy events related to Indigenous Peoples Day, the Dragon Boat Festival (with drone show), a fundraising festival for the food bank and more! Find these activities and more things to do listed below:
The Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival this Saturday will host a free public drone show in Vancouver, featuring artwork celebrating Chinatown, Indigenous communities, and dragon boat racing.
If you can see Science World from your spot (Seawall, Plaza of Nations, Cambie Bridge, Yaletown, Olympic Village) you should be able to see the drone show. Of course the best viewpoint will be from the Dragon Boat Festival ground although capacity limits may apply.
Viewers who stake out a spot along False Creek will enjoy a multisensory celebration of imagery linked to dragon boat racing tradition, Chinatown, Vancouver, and artwork from renowned Squamish artists Chepximiya Siyam’ Chief Janice George and Skwetsimeltxw Willard Joseph.
Saturday’s drone show is expected to start around 9:30pm and will include traditional Chinese elements celebrating Chinatown, the dragon boat festival, and modern Vancouver culture. The show will be synchronized to a 100% local music soundtrack featuring local artists Lights, Felix Cartal, SABAI, and Sekawnee.
Jumbotrons broadcasting the show will be placed near Creekside Community Centre, the Concord Pacific Presentation Centre, and by the TD Main Stage. The broadcast will also be carried online.
Preceding the drone show will be dragon boat races until 8:00pm, and Hey Ocean! and Blonde Diamond on the TD Main Stage until 9:15pm.
The event is billed as the first public drone show in Vancouver, and the festival has worked closely with the City of Vancouver, Vancouver Park Board, Vancouver Police Department, and other partners to ensure the show runs successfully. Through this event, new guidelines have been developed to support future presentations of eco-friendly aerial entertainment across the region.
About the Festival
In addition to the drone show, the Festival will feature the biggest dragon boat race in North America; a larger-than-ever cultural programming lineup anchored by the TD Main Stage; expansions to the Pavilion program with the Pride Pavilion joining the Chinatown and Indigenous Pavilions; a new Concord Community Zone for families; and the city’s biggest outdoor patio, featuring waterfront views of downtown and the races.
Visitors are encouraged to take public transit down to the site, with the closest SkyTrain stops being Main Street Science World and Stadium-Chinatown stations.
UPDATE: If you missed the show, here’s a clip provided by the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival:
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by Rebecca BollwittDisclosure: Review — Miss604's stay was compliments of the Westin Bayshore. Opinions and views are that of the author. Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
I always say the Westin Bayshore is the best place in Vancouver for locals and visitors so stay for a real vacation vibe while still experience the best of city. The resort has activities, pools, spa, and restaurants while you’re still just steps from downtown, the park, and the waterfront. You can enter to win a Westin Bayshore Staycation!
Westin Bayshore Vancouver Staycation
The Westin Bayshore rooms are comfy and spacious, with thoughtful amenities (soaps, lotions, shampoo, hair dryer), lots of places to recharge your devices or take a quick work call if you’re not fully disconnected (boo!) and lovely views of either the city, the courtyard, or the harbour. I knew they’d have an umbrella in the room, robes, and I actually needed a sewing kit too which is such a classic yet handy amenity to have at a hotel. The in-room fridge also came in handy for storing our leftovers from dinner since we were so full from the feast.
Dining Options
As a local, I’ll pop into T & Co Café for a coffee and wrap when I’m out on the Seawall, book a dinner at H2 Kitchen + Bar during their seasonal events, graze the extensive breakfast buffet, or enjoy an evening on the patio with local live music. During my stay a few weeks ago, I enjoyed a meal at H Tasting Lounge, which had a variety of vegetarian options for me to pick from.
H Tasting Lounge at the Westin Bayshore
Located just off the lobby, and also right on the Seawall, H Tasting Lounge offers creative cocktails complemented by tasting plates. I ordered the Fake History (0% mocktail) with vanilla rooibos tea, smoked plum, frankincense, non-alcoholic bitters. For the table we ordered a variety of sides like roasted garlic mushrooms, sautéed vegetables, and I had a delicious mushroom gnocchi. I can’t spot the exact meal I had on the menu on the website anymore since they use in-season ingredients and the menu has been updated for summer so you know you’ll be getting the freshest and best of the season on your plate.
Bayshore bees’ honey served at the H2 Kitchen + Bar breakfast buffet
Pro Tip: My sister was craving ice cream when we got back to the room after a sunset walk and while it wasn’t on the regular in-room dining menu, the kids menu had a mango sorbet that hit the spot.
On select mornings, H2 Kitchen + Bar is transformed into a giant buffet room with hot and cold items, fresh fruit, juices, and smoothies, cereals, and an omelette station. During our visit they also had congee, all the breakfast meats you could desire, and house-baked goods.
Activities
Take your pick of an indoor (with hot tub) or outdoor pool (with sauna), book a treatment at Vida Spa sign up for a liquid yoga class, or use the complimentary guest bikes to explore the area. Walk the grounds and visit the apiary where the Bayshore honey comes from, or chill on the lounge chairs by the firepit on the lawn near the pool.
The runWESTIN experience is powered by the Strava app and you can join a Run Concierge guided run Tuesdays and Thursdays.
