Indigenous Education tours within Stanley Park

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Overview of Stanley Park

Even though thousands of visitors come to Stanley Park to stroll through the lush green forests and pass by their infamous landmarks such as the Seawall and Brockton totem poles daily, many aren't aware of the area's Indigenous history. Luckily, today there are still people who are willing to keep their heritage and customs alive by educating tourists and locals about their land, people and environment. 


The Stanley Park Ecology Society, is a non-profit organization that works with the Vancouver board of Parks on spreading awareness about natural habitats and respect for the natural world. They have been inputing more opportunities to educate tourists and locals with seasonal walking tours that highlight Indigenous history and traditional plant usage, they are led by guides of First Nations descents which makes the experience more authentic. 

    Starla Bob, one of the tour guides with First Nations lineage at Stanley Park said during an interiview CBC news. "It's important to me, if anyone is going to be doing it — not necessarily me — but somebody with First Nations lineage," She also mentions it is crucial not to overlook the history of the area and, given her background, she's in a good position to share that history with park visitors. 

Starla Bob holding two distinct ferns and explaing their differences.
salmonberries

Throughout the tour, Starla guides guests through the park identifying edible berries and plants which the First Nations used as certain medicines, including salmonberries, deer ferns and bull kelp. Plants aren't picked during the tour but she will identify them encourging guests to collect them outside of the park in a sustainable matter. This is a great way to intergrate  customary methods and Indigenous history to visitors about traditional plants and berries First Nations used as their food source and medication. 

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