I often get asked about interesting places to discover around Vancouver. Friends and family love to head up this way in the warmer months, and this gets my mind thinking outdoors, to take full advantage of the natural beauty that our city has in droves.
Enter Takaya Tours, a Tsleil-Waututh (slay-wah-tuth) First Nations-owned and operated tour company that’s been leading both canoe and walking tours for 12 years. They can customize a tour, or even do a split tour that includes both canoeing and walking.
Over the long May weekend, I decided to take a two-hour tour ahead of the busy summer period. We met at Cates Park for an introduction, ground blessing, and drumming, followed by a safety and “what to expect on the water” briefing. Once you’ve joined a Takaya Tour, you become a member of their family, by way of the blessing mentioned earlier.
Armed with native motif paddles and PFD’s, we headed to our 12-seat, 25-foot canoe, where two guides instructed us on how to enter and sit for optimal balance.
Once underway, our guide began to tell tales of the Tsleil-Waututh, as well as their traditions and activities. Another guide played the drum and sang at various points along the way, translating each song’s meaning and a typical occasion when it might be performed.
This was a unique way to unplug for a few hours and to smell the wonderful spring air and Indian Arm water. The water was calm that day, but I couldn’t help wishing that an orca or two might surprise us (we did see a seal though).
[Look carefully to the right in the water: It’s a bird’s head with an eye!]
Visit Takaya Tours online for detailed tour info. I was a guest of Takaya Tours for the purpose of this feature. Opinions, as always, are my own.
