Winter Traditions of the Squamish People

Thursday, December 14, 2023

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM PST

Settle into the lantern-lit sanctuary of Secret Headquarters as Squamish Elder Bob Baker shares songs, stories and traditions of the Squamish People who have inhabited these lands for over 10,000 years.

Squamish cultural history is steeped in tradition, spirituality, canoes, family history, legends and stories of the Ancestors. As a Knowledge Keeper, Bob tells of his Coastal people, people of the cedar longhouses, of the great sea-going canoes, the racing war canoes, People of the Salmon. Their rich history speaks of things of legend, of deeds of the Smylaith Tribe (Sasquatch), legends of the Animal Kingdom (i.e. The Raven, Seagull and Sun), which brings out Teachings of the Squamish People, the History of Takaya, the Wolf Clan, one of the Squamish Family’s History.

Please join us to deepen your understanding of how the darkness of winter has been embraced, celebrated and witnessed by the Squamish People. Tickets are available by sliding scale: $30-$50. Suggested admission: $35.

Event Notes / Be Prepared:

  • Doors open at 6:30 PM and the event will start promptly at 7:00 PM. Please do your best to be on time as late arrivals will be disruptive to activities in progress.

  • Space is limited to 30 participants so please register early.

  • Bob will bring indigenous-harvested and prepared tea to share

  • Your donation contributes directly to supporting our programming to continue ongoing learning and cultural sharing. We thank you for your support. If you have financial barriers preventing you from purchasing a ticket, please email admin@secretlantern.org and we will do our best to accommodate.

Artist Bios

Bob Baker, Cultural Advisor, Performer.

Bob Baker (Squamish Ancestral name is S7aplek, Hawaiian name is Lanakila) is co-founder and Spokesperson for Spakwus Slolem (Eagle Song) the most reputable Dance Group of the Squamish Nation.

Born and Raised Squamish, Bob has been exercising his Culture through Singing, Dances, and various presentations, for over 35 years . Accomplishments range from revival of Sea-going Canoes and traditions, to Cultural projects such as the 27 ft. Grandmother Welcome Figure, at Ambleside Beach Park, to dance presentations in Taiwan, Hawaii, Japan, Switzerland, (Montreaux Jazz Festival), and opening Ceremonies for Western Canada Summer games, Nation Aboriginal Hockey Championships, International U18 Lacrosse Championships, and recently, opening ceremony for the Canada Aboriginal Music Awards. To Blessing Ceremonies for B.C. Ferries, in Flensburg, Germany and the Tallships flotilla Blessing Ceremony here at English bay, Vancouver. On-going performances and projects continue through-out the Lower Mainland, Vancouver, Squamish-Whistler and Vancouver Island.

In the warmer months Bob can be found training in the traditional dug-out war canoes, as well as the Great Sea-going Canoes, and as a steersman for Tribal Journeys, and the Pulling Together Journey, visiting Villages along our beautiful coasts of British Columbia and,Washington State.

Getting Here: Secret Headquarters is located at 1398 East 3rd Avenue, Vancouver, BC. Bus # 22 is within walking distance; VCC Clark and Commercial Skytrain Stations are within 10 minutes' walk. Free parking on the street and in the large parking lot in the alley between 3rd and 4th.

Accessibility: Secret Headquarters is wheelchair and walker accessible. If you have specific accessibility needs, please get in touch with us at (778) 323-9489 or admin@secretlantern.org.

Omi, our lovely resident feline, loves to attend our gatherings. Please let us know if you have allergies and we will gently explain to him why he needs to stay home that night.