An Indigenous Cultural Project In The Works At The Williams Lake Visitor Centre

A new project is underway to heighten visits to the Williams Lake area.

Collaborated with local First Nations and an Indigenous Tourism Specialist, “Indigenous Journeys: Weaving Culture in Visitor Experiences” is aimed to bring both a unique and enriching cultural experience to the Visitor Centre.

Williams Lake and District Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tamara Garreau said it got its start through a funding grant from Destination BC and Indigenous Tourism.

She noted the aim is to create packages that would provide visitors to the area the opportunity to take part in special cultural events and expects that to be available before this summer.

“We applied for the funding last year, there was a pocket of money available through Destination BC so we applied for it. We also talked to them because we’re looking into another grant for Indigenous signage. We want to have a welcome sign outside the Visitor Centre and then more signs inside in the Centre in the various languages in our region.”

Garreau noted the idea for the signage came about when Visitor Centre Counsellor Tanya Hutchinson visited Mount Robson on a recent trip which had a ton of signage.

The signage is expected to be completed by 2025.

Williams Lake and District Chamber of Commerce thanked their incredible partners, Williams Lake First Nation David Archie and Val West, Indigenous Tourism BC Cheryl Chapman and Mike Retasket, and Thompson Rivers University Indigenous Support Services Geraldine Bob.