Text : Judy Karwacki and Cathy Holler, Photos : Jacob Beaton, Sasquatch Tours
Sasquatch Tours is a unique First Nations tour operator, owned by a traditional First Nations family from Chehalis, British Columbia. Chehalis is a small First Nations community in southwestern British Columbia which lies midway between the resort community of Harrison Hot Springs and the roadside community of Harrison Mills, on the banks of the Harrison River. Sasquatch Tours operates enriching and memorable Aboriginal cultural cruises, interpretative programs, traditional ceremonies & dances, cultural awareness workshops, sensitivity training programs within the beautiful Coast Mountains of southwestern British Columbia.
Their tours feature ancient rock paintings (pictographs), archaeological sites, traditional lands and ‘Transformer’ sites, which are key elements of many First Nations legends. The cultural cruises explore the Harrison River, a main tributary of the Fraser River which drains a geographical area of 8,500 km sq. and Harrison Lake, the largest lake in southwestern British Columbia. Rich in wildlife and other natural resources, Harrison Lake is also a glacial-fed lake with headwaters extending high into British Columbia’s magnificent Coast Mountain Range.
Sasquatch Tours also offer Drum making and cedar basket weaving workshops, dance performances, honouring ceremonies, traditional feasts in their family longhouse and nature walks are also experiences offered to visitors.
A day spent with Sasquatch Tours is an enriching and most memorable experience – don’t miss it ! Months of operation are May to October.
Contact
Willie Charlie, co-owner
Sasquatch Tours
5061 Chehalis Road, Comp. 18
Agassiz, BC V0M 1A1
Toll Free : 1-877-796-1221
Phone : 604-991-0693
Fax : 604-796-1233
E-mail : info@sasquatchtours.com
Web Site : www.sasquatchtours.com
Communication Language : English
Cultural Information about the Community
The Charlie family is a highly-regarded traditional First Nations family from the village of Chehalis. The three Charlie brothers - Willie, Kelsey and Darren grew up in Chehalis, part of the Sto:lo First Nations. They were schooled by their grandparents and elders in the stories, songs, and legends of the Chehalis people. Their grandfather, Jimmy Charlie, was a great storyteller, as were his Uncle Buster and Uncle Earl.
Their Grandmother, Nancy Phillips designated Willie as the storyteller of the family. She chose him as he has a way of sensing feelings and translating them into words. Willie sees his role as spokesperson and storyteller to be a sacred responsibility which requires that he lives, breathes, and practices what he has been taught.
Brother Kelsey was taught the songs and drumming from the age of five by his Uncle Ed Leon. Along with the cookies and milk, his Uncle shared the traditional songs and, in the end, he willed his drum to Kelsey. According to Willie, along with the drum came the songs. Kelsey often drums for his guests on the cruises, as does brother Darren. Darren also has a special gift, as one of the most highly regarded drum makers in their community. He also conducts drum making workshops for interested groups.
Willie, Kelsey and Darren were taught from a young age that all things are sacred, all the land and the trees and animals within it. Their grandfather told them, “ All you are is the tool of the Spirit. As long as you have a good heart and good intention, the words of the ancestors will come through you .” According to Willie, that’s just what seems to happen. He says that memories of certain things said by the elders long ago will come back to him as he is telling his guests stories about transformation places or retelling some of the legends.
Over the period of time the Charlie family has been running Sasquatch Tours there has been a tremendous growth in their business. ‘However’, says Willie, “The biggest growth is within us, in knowing how much to share, and learning how to share in meaningful ways for different cultures and different age groups.”
Sasquatch Tours’ Cultural Experiences Include :
• 2 hour First Nations Cultural Cruises
• 2 hour Eagle & Salmon Viewing Cruise
• 2 hour Salmon Migration Viewing Cruise
• 4 hour Chehalis Half Day Cultural Cruise
• 6 hour Harrison Discovery Full Day Cultural Cruise
• 4 hour Cultural Cruise & Riverside BBQ Salmon Lunch
• 4 hour Cultural Highlights Package
• 1 ½ hour Healing Waters Nature Walk
• Chehalis Dance & Drum Presentation
• Longhouse Dinner Feast & Traditional Dance
• Longhouse Lunch Feast & Traditional Dance
• Chehalis Traditional Welcoming Ceremony
• Honoring Ceremony
• Cultural Awareness Workshop / Cultural Sensitivity Training
• Drum Making Workshop
• Weaving & Cedar Bark Workshop
