STANLEY PARK

The SKOOKUM Festival team are honoured to be working with the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, and are grateful for their support in welcoming the festival onto their shared territories.

The Musqueam people have lived in our present location for thousands of years. Our traditional territory occupies what is now Vancouver and surrounding areas…We are traditional hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ speaking people and have descended from the cultural group known as the Coast Salish. Our people moved throughout our traditional territory using the resources the land provided for fishing, hunting, trapping, and gathering, to maintain their livelihood. Today, the Musqueam people still use these resources for economic and traditional purposes. Although a metropolitan city has developed in the heart of Musqueam territory, our community maintains strong cultural and traditional beliefs. Learn More

The Squamish Nation is comprised of descendants of the Indigenous people who lived in the present day Vancouver area; Howe Sound and Squamish River watershed who spoke the Squamish Language. Our Nation is a vibrant and dynamic nation, with a strong culture, rich history, and bright future.The Squamish Nation has existed and prospered within our territory since time immemorial. We are Coast Salish people. Our language is the Squamish language. Our society is, and always has been, organized and sophisticated, with complex laws and rules governing all forms of social relations, economic rights and relations with other First Nations. We have never surrendered title to our lands, our Indigenous rights. The Skwxwú7mesh Uìxwumixw (Squamish People) continue to reside in the area now described as the Lower Mainland of British Columbia and Squamish Valley. The largest proportion of Squamish Nation members reside on several urban reserves in the city of Vancouver, North and West Vancouver and the municipality of Squamish, BC. Learn More

We are the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, "The People of the Inlet." We have inhabited the lands and waters of our traditional territory surrounding the Burrard Inlet in British Columbia since time immemorial. Many generations of men, women and children have lived, had families, and thrived in this area, and we have a sacred trust, a commitment to care for our lands and waters. Our vision is to once again put the Tsleil-Waututh face on our traditional territory, to be active participants in all social, economic, cultural, and political activities that take place on our lands by building strong relationships based on trust and mutual respect. We welcome you to learn more about us. Learn More

The Vancouver Park Board is the only elected body of its kind in Canada. Formed in 1888 as a committee to manage the new Stanley Park, its history is as old as the city's itself. It has exclusive possession, jurisdiction, and control over more than 230 public parks in Vancouver, and a large public recreation system of community centres, pools, rinks, fitness centres, golf courses, street trees, marinas, playing fields, and more. Learn More