Talking Totems
Stanley Park
An introduction and comprehensive profile of Salish and Northwest Coast Indigenous art
Explore the art, culture and protocols of our Coast Salish tribes and the neighbouring Northwest Coast Peoples. The Stanley Park Totem Tour has a unique history of its own that is not to be missed as your Talaysay Guide / Ambassador conveys the richness and diversity of the totem poles and gateways of our homeland and coast.
What to Expect
Talking Totems offers a guided exploration of the rich traditions of Coast Salish and Northwest Coast Indigenous art. Led by a Talaysay Cultural Ambassador, this tour invites guests to learn how stories, histories, and ancestral teachings are carried through the carved forms of totem poles and public art in Stanley Park.
Each carving tells a story; of lineage, land, and life. Through these works, guests are introduced to the cultural protocols, symbolism, and artistry that connect generations of carvers and communities across the coast. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of how these monumental works embody Indigenous law, kinship, and respect for all living beings.
This is an experience of listening and looking, not only at the art itself, but at what it represents: the resilience of peoples who have kept these teachings alive through art, ceremony, and storytelling.
Every Talking Totems tour concludes with a cup of Indigenous tea and an opportunity to reflect, ask questions, and share in conversation.
Where We Meet
We gather for Talking Totems at the Stanley Park Totem Poles Gift Shop, one of Vancouver’s most recognized cultural landmarks. From this central meeting point, we walk together through the surrounding area to visit several totem poles and carved works that each carry their own teachings and histories.
This walk is gentle and reflective; about 500 metres in total, with more time spent standing and observing than walking. Along the way, your Talaysay Cultural Ambassador will share the stories, artistry, and cultural significance of the poles that line this part of the park, offering insight into how these carvings express identity, kinship, and the living traditions of coastal peoples.
Accessibility: This route is very accessible, with flat, even terrain consisting of both paved and packed-gravel paths. It is suitable for wheelchairs, strollers, and mobility aids. Paid parking is available directly in front of the Totem Poles Gift Shop, and washrooms are located nearby at Brockton Point.
Before Your Tour
What to Bring
Good walking shoes
Layered clothing - dress for the weather
A water bottle on warm days
A water resistant jacket on rainy days
Weather Information
We operate our tours and programs in the rain.
The company reserves the right to cancel when extreme weather and wind impacts safety.
Guest Protocol
Tours start promptly
Arrive 15 minutes prior to tour start
Late guests or missed tours are not reimbursed
Individual booking cancellation: 48 hours notice prior to tour is required and a 20% administration fee applies
Group booking cancellation: 10 days notice prior to tour is required and a 20% administration fee applies
Cancellations with less than the required notice are 100% non-refundable
