Welcome to Private Journeys, a private tour that sheds light on accessing the unique cultural traditions of First Nations people in British Columbia, Canada.

The guide shows how to find and attend public events that take place in each community at the beginning of each chapter. For some ceremonies there are often no fixed dates and if you are interested in attending a specific event it is always a good idea before planning your trip to call ahead. The hosts invite visitors to join them in the festivals that honor their past, celebrate their present and protect their futures.

First Nations traditional territories cover just over 0.4 % of the British Columbia land base. Of the nearly 600 First Nations communities throughout Canada, 197 are located in BC regions.

Before Canada was a country Britain recognized that aboriginal people living here had title to land: the Royal Proclamation of 1763 declared that only the British Crown could acquire land from First Nations, and that was typically done through treaties. In most parts of Canada, the British Crown established treaties with First Nations before Confederation, but in British Columbia treaties are unfinished business.

As the Supreme Court of Canada stated in the Guerin decision circa 1985, "the Crown and First Nations have a sui generis trust relationship; the Crown has inserted itself between First Nations peoples (and their lands) and all other Canadians and their governments. The Crown because of this relationship has a fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of First Nations people.

For about the last 100 years Canada used the  argument that their duty was a moral one at best - perhaps political- but not  legally enforceable and so the interests-in land and rights-of First Nations people were ignored or denied.

Still today, many are living on reserve land to which they have no ownership. In some cases, reserve land is not even within a nation's traditional territory.

Land has spiritual, economic and political significance for First Nations peoples. First Nations traditional territory (land occupied and used historically) is integral to their identity and survival as a distinct nation.

We are privileged to have access to the communities and cultural activities and traditional territories and ask that visitors are very respectful of our hosts. Although the details in this guide are updated regularly it would be wise to contact and verify dates and times before your arrival.

Audry Lochrie provides independent advice and does not accept advertising from her listings on her website, www.talkingtotemtours.com

Her tour operator business offers Group Guided Aboriginal Tours and day trips throughout British Columbia, Canada featuring; First Nation Festivals, guided boat, rail and bus tours to sacred sites, eagle viewing, grizzly bear viewing, festivals, whale-watching, fishing and traditional ceremonies.