Klahowya Village at Stanley Park

Comments 57 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Aboriginal Tourism BC presents Klahowya Village in Stanley Park until September 12, 2010.

Klahowya Village in Stanley Park

Occupying the space around the miniature railway and children’s farmyard, Klahowya Village involves artisans (wood carving, weaving, bark biting), interpretive tours, activities, food, crafts, entertainment, and the Spirit Catcher Train.

Map of Klahowya in Stanley Park

One of the artisans on site is Todd DeVries who does cedar bark weaving. His pieces are for sale and you’ll see him working on elaborate hats and baskets at behind his display. Along another path you can spot birch bark biting by Pat Bruderer. This is an ancient and now rare technique of creating art and telling stories by biting designs into thing strips of birch bark.

Klahowya Village in Stanley Park Klahowya Village in Stanley Park

If you head to the village before August 24th (when the piece is being installed in the lagoon) you can catch Master Carver Richard Krentz working on a raven carving. Decorated with giant mussel shells, and abalone shells yet to be added, this piece represents transformation. Later this month it will be installed permanently in the lagoon near the children’s farmyard for all to enjoy.

Master Carver Richard Krentz

For kids there’s a storytelling circle, crafts, and of course the miniature railway that has been transformed into the Spirit Catch Train. Train rides (that last just under 15 minutes and have a narration) are $7.50 for adults and $5 for kids and seniors.

Klahowya Village in Stanley Park

Klahowya Village in Stanley Park Klahowya Village in Stanley Park

Kids can also grab a “passport” at the entrance to the village so that they can visit locations throughout and collect stamps.

Klahowya Village in Stanley Park

Cultural tours run on the hour from 11:00am until 5:00pm and there are dance performances every day at 12:00pm, 2:00pm and 4:00pm. Mike led my tour this morning and he was so friendly and helpful. He shared stories and explained the significance of common natural elements in the park — from ferns to giant cedars.

Klahowya Village in Stanley Park

All of the wood used in the village is from the storm of 2006 that wiped out tens of thousands of trees in Stanley Park. The fallen trees and debris has been re-purposed as material for carvings, artwork, and display/way-finding signage.

Klahowya Village in Stanley Park Klahowya Village in Stanley Park

Admission to the village is entirely free but you’ll want to bring some cash to purchase treats from the Feast House including bannock (savory or sweet), buffalo chili, and aboriginal tacos (bannock with buffalo chili). I had some bannock this morning and it was delightfully tasty. The aroma wafted from the Feast House, across the village, and mixed with that of fresh cedar carvings.

Klahowya Village in Stanley Park

It’s such a great way to spend an afternoon in Stanley Park — learning about local and natural history from a culture that is over 800 generations strong. Klahowya Village is open daily from 10:00am until 6:00pm until September.

Contest
If you would like to win tickets to ride the Spirit Catcher Train please leave a comment on this post. I’ll draw one winner Wednesday August 18th, and another Wednesday August 25th. Each will receive a family pack (which is 4 tickets).

Update The winner August 18th is Janet. I’ll draw another from all entries next week.
Update The second winner is cindy quach.
Update The completed raven statue is being unveiled Friday August 27th at 12:30pm.

Update May, 2011: The village and Spirit Catcher Train have returned for 2011.

May 16 to September 11, 2011
Open daily from 10am to 6pm

Village Admission:
Adults $5
Senior/Child $3 per person
Free for Children under 2 years of age

Combo Price (Village & Train):
Adults $14 ($1 discount)
Senior/Child $10 ($1 discount)
Free for children under 2 years of age

Family Pack for 4 or more:
20% overall discount on the above options

57 Comments  —  Comments Are Closed

  1. Lumen PhotoWednesday, August 11th, 2010 — 1:29pm PDT

    Spirit catcher train? sweet! looks like its about the right size for my nephew and niece!

  2. RachelWednesday, August 11th, 2010 — 1:59pm PDT

    Sounds like fun!

  3. Rick RakeWednesday, August 11th, 2010 — 2:04pm PDT

    What an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon with family.

  4. JenWednesday, August 11th, 2010 — 3:34pm PDT

    Sounds like fun 🙂

  5. MarinaWednesday, August 11th, 2010 — 8:04pm PDT

    Nice to see Aboriginal culture being celebrated!

  6. CaioWednesday, August 11th, 2010 — 8:40pm PDT

    Looking forward in seeing it on the weekend, thanks promoting!

  7. JeffWednesday, August 11th, 2010 — 8:46pm PDT

    I’m actually planning on going down this weekend to check it out.

  8. LindaWednesday, August 11th, 2010 — 10:55pm PDT

    Thanks for the post- I heard about this earlier and wanted to give it a try. We’d love to ride the train. I’ve also wanted to taste some aboriginal cuisine. So pit stop at the Feast House for sure.

  9. RennThursday, August 12th, 2010 — 1:44pm PDT

    A great way to spend a summer day – before summer is over!

  10. RubyThursday, August 12th, 2010 — 2:11pm PDT

    This post is great! Thanks for the opportunity!

  11. VivianeThursday, August 12th, 2010 — 2:17pm PDT

    Spirit catcher train. I can’t wait for it.

  12. LindsayThursday, August 12th, 2010 — 9:16pm PDT

    That sounds like a really fun way to spend a weekend….I had *no* idea that was going on. Thanks for letting me know!

  13. angelaFriday, August 13th, 2010 — 10:27am PDT

    I would love to win the tix! My son is obsessed with trains!

  14. mariaFriday, August 13th, 2010 — 10:28am PDT

    The kids would go crazy for this!!

  15. AretaFriday, August 13th, 2010 — 10:30am PDT

    This sounds neat!

  16. sandyFriday, August 13th, 2010 — 10:47am PDT

    Sounds like great fun!

  17. Scented LeafFriday, August 13th, 2010 — 10:52am PDT

    Thank you for bringing this to me … although I live nearby I did not know about this one.

  18. DomFriday, August 13th, 2010 — 11:02am PDT

    Sounds great, my son would love this.

  19. Shawn RapazFriday, August 13th, 2010 — 12:39pm PDT

    My Japanese girlfriend that is visiting fro Japan would love to see this.

  20. SanazFriday, August 13th, 2010 — 3:41pm PDT

    Would love to explore this village that’s practically in my backyard:)

  21. PKFriday, August 13th, 2010 — 5:18pm PDT

    This should be fun & educating … totally support it 😉

  22. mikeSaturday, August 14th, 2010 — 6:04am PDT

    id like to win this

  23. Steph :)Saturday, August 14th, 2010 — 8:24am PDT

    Sounds like fun, I would like to check it out, thanks!

  24. JanetSaturday, August 14th, 2010 — 9:55am PDT

    Train rides are awesome! I really enjoy Aboriginal culture.

  25. Teresa KSaturday, August 14th, 2010 — 1:53pm PDT

    Sweet!

  26. BethSunday, August 15th, 2010 — 4:18pm PDT

    You had me at “bannock”!

  27. JeffSunday, August 15th, 2010 — 7:43pm PDT

    Sounds like fun. Our three year old will love it!

  28. ScottMonday, August 16th, 2010 — 8:24am PDT

    That sounds great! My daughter will love the train!

  29. KevinMonday, August 16th, 2010 — 10:37am PDT

    Glad I spotted this! We’re off to the park today.

  30. JenMonday, August 16th, 2010 — 10:13pm PDT

    I would love to take the kids to see this – my daughter would love it, and my little guy would go nuts over that train!!

  31. KellyTuesday, August 17th, 2010 — 8:09am PDT

    Sounds fabulous and delightful! Just discovered your blog today and am thrilled by all the info! Thanks!

  32. BernadetteWednesday, August 18th, 2010 — 10:41am PDT

    Great to see the roots of Vancouver, Canada come to life and specially in world renowned Stanley Park. Definitely looking forward to experiencing it and sharing it with my family!

  33. LisaWednesday, August 18th, 2010 — 11:01am PDT

    this would be great for the kids !

  34. DaniellaWednesday, August 18th, 2010 — 11:37am PDT

    I would love to take my little girl to this to learn a little about her heritage!

    Thanks!

  35. TracyWednesday, August 18th, 2010 — 12:22pm PDT

    This sounds fun!

  36. OrendaWednesday, August 18th, 2010 — 1:09pm PDT

    We were here a few weeks ago! my son loved it:) we werent able to spare the cash for the train though! would love to try it out this time.

  37. cindy quachWednesday, August 18th, 2010 — 1:57pm PDT

    My girls are so interested in First Nations culture after our visit to the MOA and lots of Raven myths.

  38. MicaelaWednesday, August 18th, 2010 — 2:13pm PDT

    I have a sister living up in Haidi Gwaii and this would be fun!

  39. noraWednesday, August 18th, 2010 — 10:55pm PDT

    The train route decorations at Halloween and Christmas were lovely. I’d love to see this one!

  40. ElaanThursday, August 19th, 2010 — 7:27am PDT

    Sounds great!

  41. selmaThursday, August 19th, 2010 — 8:20am PDT

    Sounds like the perfect place to take family from out of town to!

  42. amfriesenThursday, August 19th, 2010 — 10:27am PDT

    wow you have a bunch of contests going on
    this is such a good deal i might actually go without even winning this contest but if i did win then i’d definitely go 😉

  43. ClareThursday, August 19th, 2010 — 12:00pm PDT

    Just found this awesome site. I had no idea about this event – my kids would just love to try this out! 😀

  44. kelseyThursday, August 19th, 2010 — 5:27pm PDT

    id love to go to this!

  45. CarrieThursday, August 19th, 2010 — 10:55pm PDT

    My two sons would love this!

  46. Nancy BainSaturday, August 21st, 2010 — 8:02am PDT

    Yes, please! I would love to go see the Klahowya Village at Stanley Park. I’d take my 2 grandsons and son and spend a lovely day in the park afterwards.
    Thanks for the opportunity.

  47. Jen CSunday, August 22nd, 2010 — 12:00pm PDT

    A year in Vancouver and only managed to get around stanley park on my bike!

  48. T&TSunday, August 22nd, 2010 — 3:47pm PDT

    The native singer/dancers are entertaining as well as educational.

  49. CynthiaTuesday, August 24th, 2010 — 7:58am PDT

    This would be a great experience for my 2 grandchildren ages 8 and 10 years.

  50. NooshinTuesday, August 24th, 2010 — 8:44am PDT

    Sounds Great!!! I would love to win this great package & have fun day with my family.

  51. RuiWednesday, August 25th, 2010 — 6:50am PDT

    Never been there. Sounds interesting enough.

  52. AmandaWednesday, August 25th, 2010 — 10:28am PDT

    WOW! I am so glad I’ve read this! I am coming to Vancouver tomorrow, and now this is definately on the list!

  53. KristinaWednesday, August 25th, 2010 — 10:35am PDT

    Would love to check this out!

  54. KayWednesday, August 25th, 2010 — 11:53am PDT

    That looks pretty cool and sounds like an awesome experience!

  55. Jessica BarudinSaturday, August 28th, 2010 — 12:58am PDT

    Amazing! I am working on a grassroots health initiative which will be based in Stanley Park. Stay Posted! Stanley Park Wellness Community – Come out to play!
    twitter.com/SPWellness

  56. Katie ChuMonday, December 20th, 2010 — 8:53pm PST

    It was fun! I went twice during the summer and i hope it does return next summer and many more summers to come! It’s cool to learn about the First Nations!

  57. BillFriday, May 13th, 2011 — 10:59am PDT

    Where are the pics of the train ride? This is a main feature isnt it?

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