Experience the culture of the Xatśūll community and take part in a tour of Xatśūll Heritage Village. Learn about the history of the Secwepemc Nation and their traditional way of life. Your First Nation Guide will tell you about our National Award Winning Heritage Site and show you the teepees, our winter homes or pit houses (also known as kikule houses), drying/tanning racks, lean-to, sweat house, summer hut, as well as our new covered picnic area and lookout of the Village. Learn about the mighty Fraser River where our ancestors have fished for thousands of years.
- Medicine Pouch
The sweat house represents mother Earth. It is the oldest and one of the first ceremonies the Creator handed to Xatśūll First Nations people. The sweat house is a cleansing of the body, mind, and spirit. There are four rounds, each represent the four nations or four directions, red, yellow, black, white.
Experience this traditional ceremony at Xatśūll Heritage Village on the banks of the Fraser River.
Xatśūll Heritage Village provides an atmosphere where you can learn about other cultures. For example, the teepees are not part of the Secwepemc way of life, but it helps visitors to see the diversity among Aboriginal groups in BC and across Canada.
In Xatśūll, the pit house was a home for our ancestors. The pit house (or kikule house) lasted for up to ten years before having to move out. A pit house is excavated partially into the earth three feet or more. The structure of a roof is made and fitted onto the excavated hole that was dug. In the middle of the roof is an opening with a ladder; this hole also served as the chimney.
Visitors have the opportunity to overnight in a teepee or pit house. Please note that we don’t supply any of the bedding, our guests bring their own sleeping mattresses, sleeping bags and other gear required.
While experiencing our Northern Secwepemc culture you also have the opportunity to share a meal with us.
Join in for a Pit Cooking demonstration. Pit cooking for Secwepemc was used on a daily basis, a hole is dug and lined with lava rocks, a stick or a pole was placed in the middle acting as a steam vent. Our recipes are handed down from generation to generation.
If you are staying for lunch, join us for a traditional salmon lunch or contact us about our menus for the day.
Please book your meals in advance.