təmtəmíxʷtən, meaning “the biggest place for all the people”, is a səlilwətaɬ ancestral village site with a rich history from use and occupation since time out of mind. In recognition of this place’s importance for both səlilwətaɬ and Metro Vancouver Regional Parks, the Belcarra Regional Park Cultural Planning and Co-operation Agreement was signed in 2020. Working collaboratively to re-establish the səlilwətaɬ community’s connection to təmtəmíxʷtən, our Nation’s Treaty, Lands and Resources Department and Metro Vancouver staff undertook a visioning process to determine a path forward.
As part of this visioning process, səlilwətaɬ community members expressed a strong desire for easier access to, and more events, and programming at təmtəmíxʷtən. For the last two years, with generous funding and support from Metro Vancouver Regional Parks, Arthur Denèfle (səlilwətaɬ Environmental Specialist – Parks Planner) has been organizing boat trips and events for the səlilwətaɬ community, school, youth group, health and wellness programs, and staff. Read on for a recap of this year’s trips!
In the spring, our siʔáḿθət School took six trips to təmtəmíxʷtən. The students enjoyed the firepit and picnic shelters for lunch and hanging out and played on the open field and beautiful beaches of təmtəmíxʷtən.
Braving cold and rainy weather for their own trip in the spring, Nic McCullough, TWN Youth Worker, and the youth group were particularly fond of the fire pit to keep warm and make s’mores.
The Men’s Group, led by Fraser Mckenzie and Mark Lawrence of ćećǝwǝt lelǝm Helping House in our Health and Wellness Department, went on an evening boat trip and dinner at təmtəmíxʷtən on June 17, 2025. The group lucked out with the weather and enjoyed a beautiful sunset from the village site and from the boat as they crossed səlilwət (Burrard Inlet).
The səlilwətaɬ community trips kicked off with a day at Sasamat Outdoor Centre on June 28th, 2025. Approximately 40 people, a mix of families and friends, had a private beach day at Sasamat Lake. Some folks took canoes out for a paddle while others socialized on the docks, beach, in the forest, and in the dining hall. Everyone got together for a taco lunch, generously catered by the Sasamat Outdoor Centre team.
On the evenings of July 17 and August 14, 2025, the səlilwətaɬ community took to təmtəmíxʷtən in unprecedented numbers for sunset boat trips and picnics. On both dates, nearly 50 community members enjoyed an evening boat trip and dinner. On one occasion, səlilwətaɬ caterer Alicia George prepared a delicious dinner which featured community elk from the Indian River Watershed, and on another West Coast Bannock provided tasty bannock tacos.
The səlilwətaɬ Archaeology team joined the August trip to give a short presentation on the Belcarra Cultural Heritage Study that they finalized this year. This study took inventory of known səlilwətaɬ history and use of təmtəmíxʷtən as part of developing a Cultural and Heritage Plan for the area.
As word spread about the boat trips, more and more families came out to enjoy təmtəmíxʷtən and offered their feedback on how impactful these trips can be:
“I enjoyed being able to spend time with the community and getting to know my community and family members a bit better. As a person who did not grow up here on reserve, nor did I even know my own father and family and my native culture, it means a lot to me to be able to connect in these meaningful and relaxed settings. Thank you kindly for giving me and the community these important opportunities to enjoy our land, our community and each other! It was a beautiful evening and we all seemed to really enjoy the delicious BBQ supplied by Alicia George, fun was had, and even some of us brave souls went for a swim. So thank you and I hope these outings will continue!!!”
– Christina Kosiancic
“It is over food, gentle laughter, and the comfort in each other’s company that we learn to reconnect as family in one of our villages. I loved it! Thank you to all who contributed, coordinated and organized. The next one is going to be just as great!”
– Cheyenne Hood
TLR staff wish to thank all those who attended this year’s trips and we look forward to more in 2026.
Special thanks to Mike Bothma and his crew at Indian Arm Recreation for water taxi services, to Alicia George and West Coast Bannock for catering, to the Sasamat Outdoor Centre team for hosting, and to our co-management partners, Metro Vancouver Regional Parks team for their support, financial and otherwise, that enabled these trips. Thanks also to Cheyenne Hood who provided input on planning, posters, and most importantly, promoted the trips!
