Whistler Cultural Symposium
Sunday October 2 to Tuesday October 4, 2022
Host Hotel: The Westin Resort & Spa, Whistler
Breathe in the fresh mountain air at The Westin Resort & Spa, Whistler, an all-suite, full-service hotel tucked into the side of Whistler Mountain. Fully renovated in 2019, The Westin is the ideal location with Whistler Blackcomb for skiing and snowboarding, the Bike Park in the summer and the charming pedestrian village only steps away. When you are finished exploring, curl up by the fireplace in a spacious suite or make an intimate dinner in the fully equipped kitchen.
Host Location: Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre
The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC) is the first centre of its kind in Canada. Two nations came together to celebrate and share their cultures with the world while creating meaningful employment opportunities for members of both the Sk̲wxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation, Coast Salish) and Líl̓wat7ul (Lil’wat Nation, Interior Salish) Nations. Designed to evoke the form of a Squamish Longhouse and Lil’wat Istken (earthen dwelling), the SLCC’s stunning structure embodies the spirit of partnership between two unique Nations who wish to preserve, grow, and share their traditional cultures.
Sunday October 2, 2022
3:00pm - 5:00pm - Welcome Reception & Symposium Registration
Location: Grill & Vine, Westin Resort & Spa
Register for the symposium and enjoy light refreshments and snacks.
6:00pm - Indigenous Tourism BC Opening Media Dinner:
A Taste of Indigenous Cuisine in British Columbia
Celebrating the best of Indigenous Cuisine in BC, Indigenous Tourism British Columbia is hosting a three-course long table dinner at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre on October 2nd. The event will be an opportunity to explore the rich cultures and culinary traditions of First Nations through the cuisine of three Indigenous Chefs while enjoying the performances of First Nations dancers.
Pre/post interview opportunities with Indigenous chefs are available upon request.
Meeting Place: Westin Resort & Spa - Upper Lobby by the Concierge Desk
Meeting Time: 6:00pm – Will walk over as a group to the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre
Dinner Location: Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre at 6:30pm
ITBC Long Table Dinner - Chef Bios
Monday October 3, 2022
8:30am - Meet Upper Lobby by the Concierge Desk of the Westin Resort & Spa to walk over as group to the Squamish Lil'wat Cutural Centre.
Whistler Cultural Symposium Speaker Details
9:00 am: Welcome Song & Dance
9:30 am: Keynote Speaker: Frank Antoine*
What is Reconciliation? Appropriation vs appreciation. The Importance of Truth and Reconciliation through Tourism.
Indigenous Tourism British Columbia (ITBC) Co-Chair Frank Antoine is the co-founder of Moccasin Trails, a cultural tourism company based in Kamloops, BC. He worked at Quaaout Lodge & Spa at Talking Rock Golf Resort for more than a decade and was vital in the development and marketing of authentic Indigenous cultural tourism programs and projects in the Skwlax community.
Frank is a strong cultural ambassador and proud to share the traditional knowledge he carries. Frank has sat on a variety of tourism boards, including the Adams River Salmon Society, Shuswap Trail Alliance, Hat Creek Society, McAbee Group, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, as well as Indigenous Tourism of British Columbia.
*We would like to thank Brenda Baptiste, who jumped onboard early as our keynote speaker, for her commitment to delve into these important topics. Due to an unforeseen personal commitment, Brenda is unfortunately no longer able to attend, but we are thrilled to announce that ITBC’s, and Brenda’s, co-chair, Frank Antoine will be taking her place.
10:30 am: Q&A - Tourism Whistler, Whistler Blackcomb, Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW)
Learn some insights on actions being taken by local Whistler organisations, Whistler Blackcomb and RMOW on climate change; diversity, equity & inclusion; and reconciliation.
Lead by Barrett Fisher, President & CEO, Toursim Whistler alongside Geoff Buchheister, COO, Whistler Blackcomb, and Jack Crompton, Mayor, RMOW.
11:00am: Coffee & Tea Break
11:15 am: Panel #1: Diversity in the Outdoors
What needs to be done to promote a more inclusive, diverse culture in the mountains, and what role does the media play?
Moderator: Dean Nelson, LGBTQ Travel Curator and Tourism Consultant
Panellists:
- Indra Hayre, Loud advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in all realms of life
- Gregory Scruggs, Staff Writer, Seattle Times
12:15 pm: Lunch in the Istken Hall
The Istken Hall is a dynamic round room with wrap-around windows showcasing stunning views of the picturesque northerly mountain ranges and Lost Lake woods.
1:30 pm: Panel #2: Destination Resilience
From urban planning and policy decisions, to shifts in corporate operations, to advocacy and empowerment, hear from those facing our climate crisis who are involved in protecting the natural environment in Whistler and beyond.
Moderator: Leslie Anthony, Freelance Journalist
Panelists:
- Arthur De Jong, RMOW Councillor
- Claire Ruddy, Executive Director AWARE
2:30pm: Coffee & Tea Break
3:00pm: Panel #3: Reconcili-Action
Indigenous tourism has the power as a tool to create positive change by providing opportunities for public education and personal transformation, both of which play a role in reconciliation.
Moderator: Kiana Alexander Hill, Lead Executive Officer at Raven Institute
Panelists:
- Debbie Olsen, Freelance Journalist
- Heather Paul, Executive Director, SLCC
- Cecilia Point, Director of Finance & Operations, Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada
4:30 pm - Closing Reception (directly following close of Symposium)
Celebrate all that was learned while also taking in the art at the Audain Art Museum.
Audain Art Museum
The Audain Art Museum opened in 2016 and was founded by Vancouver home builder and philanthropist Michael Audain and his wife Yoshiko Karasawa. The 56,000 square foot structure is located in Whistler, British Columbia, and was designed by the award-winning architectural firm Patkau Architects. The Museum’s permanent collection showcases the art of British Columbia from the late 18th century to present. Anchoring the collection is James Hart’s The Dance Screen (The Scream Too), the most significant contemporary carved cedar Dance Screen in the world. Other highlights include an important collection of 19th and 20th century First Nations masks and works by some of Canada’s most celebrated artists including Emily Carr, E.J. Hughes and the internationally renowned photo-conceptualists Jeff Wall and Stan Douglas. In addition to the permanent collection the Museum has visiting exhibitions of art from Canada and around the world.
