Vancouver Island

Travel to Victoria and settle into the capital of British Columbia. Begin the program with afternoon tea at the historic Empress Hotel, a landmark overlooking the Inner Harbour that opens conversations about tourism, tradition, and whose histories are celebrated in public spaces.

As evening approaches, head out onto the water for a sunset harbour cruise or guided paddle, experiencing Victoria from the perspective of the sea. This first day concludes with orientation focused on community agreements, land awareness, and the guiding themes of Indigenous knowledge, biodiversity, and outdoor learning.

Explore British Columbia’s political landscape with a visit to the provincial legislature, examining how governance shapes land use, policy, and decision-making. Students consider the striking contrast between the Parliament Buildings’ picturesque beauty and their role as symbols of colonial power, authority, and exclusion.

Continue to the Royal BC Museum, where students explore exhibits on natural history, colonial settlement, and Indigenous cultures, setting important context for understanding whose stories have been preserved and how narratives are shaped.

Later, engage in an Indigenous-led experience in Victoria, learning about the Lekwungen peoples’ relationship to land, water, and place, and examining how Indigenous presence and stewardship continue to shape the region today.

Travel across the island and stop at Cathedral Grove, home to towering old-growth Douglas firs and red cedars, some more than 800 years old. Walking beneath these giants, students explore biodiversity, ecological time, and conservation challenges, gaining a visceral sense of what is at stake in protecting rare old-growth ecosystems.

In Port Alberni, connect ecological learning with creative expression through a hands-on art workshop led by local artists, reflecting on how place, landscape, and environment influence storytelling and cultural expression.

Examine how industries such as logging, fishing, and transportation have shaped Vancouver Island’s economy and landscapes. Through heritage spaces and local perspectives, students explore how resource extraction has brought both opportunity and environmental consequence to communities across the island.

The day continues with a guided exploration of Horne Lake Provincial Park, where you venture into cave systems to view ancient fossils and striking crystal formations hidden beneath the forest floor.

Visit the island’s rugged west coast for hands-on learning in intertidal and nearshore ecosystems. Students investigate marine species, shoreline dynamics, and the cultural significance of coastal travel routes, deepening understanding of how land and sea systems are inseparable.

As you move along the coast, keep watch for whales offshore or black bears along the shoreline, moments that bring conservation and biodiversity learning vividly to life while underscoring the importance of habitat protection.

Travel to Nanaimo and board a boat to visit Saysutshun, a small island just off the coast and part of Snuneymuxw territory. Through a guided experience led by Snuneymuxw knowledge holders, gain insight into Indigenous governance, oral tradition, and ongoing relationships to place.

The day also includes a dialogue exploring the collaboration between local institutions and the National Centre for Collaboration in Indigenous Education, highlighting how education can support Indigenous leadership, language revitalization, and community-driven learning. Then join a bannock-making workshop, learning how food, culture, and knowledge are shared across generations.

Depart from Nanaimo or return to Victoria carrying lessons forward as you prepare for your journey home.