Spoken Treasures
Spoken Treasures is a walking experience of Coast Salish truth, history, and living presence. Guided by a Talaysay Cultural Land Ambassador, you will hear oral knowledge carried by the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) peoples across these territories since time immemorial.
Spoken Treasures shares Coast Salish truth and history through oral knowledge, as it has been shared since time immemorial.
Guided by a Talaysay Cultural Land Ambassador, this experience carries the stories and lived histories of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) peoples across these territories.
Lynn Canyon is the gathering place for this walk. The stories reach beyond any one trail or park. They live across the territories and with the people whose presence, history, and responsibilities continue here.
You will hear about life before contact, the impacts of colonization, and the strength of Indigenous communities. This is not distant history. It is living and continuous, carried forward through oral knowledge sharing.
At the heart of Spoken Treasures is reciprocity. Guests are invited to listen with respect, hold what is shared with care, and consider the responsibilities that come with learning on these lands.
The Experience
A Spoken Treasures walk is an act of listening. Your Cultural Land Ambassador shares oral histories, cultural perspectives, and truths carried across generations. What is shared is offered with care, and guests are asked to hold it with respect.
Each walk is shaped by the guide, the group, and the season. The forest setting supports reflection, while the spoken knowledge and lived history lead the experience.
Every Spoken Treasures walk concludes with a cup of Indigenous tea, a quiet moment to reflect, ask questions, and share in dialogue.
Where We Meet
We gather outside the Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre in North Vancouver before moving into the surrounding forest trails.
Lynn Canyon offers a quiet forest setting for listening, reflection, and conversation. The oral knowledge shared on this walk speaks to the wider Coast Salish territories, histories, and relationships carried across generations.
The route follows forest pathways through a landscape of trees, waterways, and changing seasonal conditions.
Experience Details
Cultural focus: Coast Salish truth and history, colonization, Indigenous and settler shared history, reciprocity, and oral knowledge sharing.
Guided tour: This experience includes a Talaysay Cultural Land Ambassador and Indigenous Tea Service.
Duration: 90 minutes
Distance: Approximately 1 to 2 km on forest trails
Meeting location: Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre
Accessibility and Arrival
Accessibility: This outdoor experience follows uneven and varied forest trails, which may limit full accessibility for some guests.
What to bring: Weather-appropriate clothing, sturdy walking shoes with good traction, rain protection, a refillable water bottle, a small backpack, and any personal medications you may need.
Trail conditions: Forest trails may be uneven, damp, or muddy. Please dress for changing weather and varied terrain.
Parking: Available nearby.
Washrooms: Located at the Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre.
ASL interpretation: Available upon request. Please let us know in advance so arrangements can be made.
Please arrive 15 minutes before your experience begins. Your guide will meet you outside the Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre.
Waiver
Please note: All guests are required to complete a digital waiver or informed consent form before their experience. A link will be included in your confirmation email.