Local Voices: Talaysay Tours

Vancouver is known for its scenic mountain views, diverse cuisine, and endless activities — but it's also a city rich in Indigenous history and culture. Talaysay Tours is a family-run company that offers engaging and educational tours exploring local First Nations history, stories, and ways of life. Fresh Tracks Canada spoke with co-owner Talaysay Campo, who shared how these tours can deepen your Canadian experience, along with expert tips to make the most of your time in Vancouver.

What’s something you enjoy teaching to guests during their tours?

Talaysay Campo (TC): A lot of people think that [the local First Nations] speak the same language and have the same traditions. Yes, we are First Nations, but we all have our own traditions, our own language, our own ways of life, and each nation is completely different. While we are on the grounds of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh people, these three nations all speak their own language and have their own legends. Being from the Squamish and the Sechelt nation, I have learned about the stories and teachings from other nations, as well as two different tongues. This is something that we always like to share and promote to our guests.

What’s another take-away for guests from their tour with Talaysay Tours?

TC: I'd say one thing guests learn during our tours is how much our land provides for us. If you think about it, hundreds of years ago, we didn't have any pharmacies or grocery stores. We lived off what the land provided when it comes to plants, medicine and wild game. I grew up in a household where I wasn't using Western medicine, and we used plants instead, like Devil's Club. This plant is like our penicillin, and it took care of us during those cold winters when we were feeling ill. 

When is the best time to do a tour with Talaysay Tours and why?

TC: Anytime is a perfect time to come join one of our tours, as every tour is different in each season. One of our tours is Talking Trees and that's focused on plants, medicine and technology. When the seasons change, so do the plants. However, most of our plants and medicine do bloom in the springtime and that's when all the beautiful berries and flowers come out as well. Our Spoken Treasures tour focuses a lot on stories, histories and legends, which also change during the seasons. 

Can you share a memorable or unique guest experience?

TC: We did a Talking Trees tour during the fall one year, and this is the season when the snowberry comes out. This berry is known to help with warts and blemishes, and many of our Indigenous women use it when they get a blemish. A woman on our tour had been suffering from warts her whole life and she was very self-conscious of it, so we shared this teaching of the snowberry. A few weeks later, we received an email from her thanking us — She had used the snowberry on her hands and all her warts were coming off. I was so happy that the teachings from our tour helped her, and I still think about it to this day. 

What's your favorite part about Talaysay Tours?

TC: What I love most is the fact that I've grown up with this company — I’m the same age as Talaysay Tours, which started in 1998, and I've been growing along side it with my mother. I remember when we first started on the Sunshine Coast, it was actually a kayak company, and we would do Indigenous kayak tours at Porpoise Bay Provincial Park. We couldn’t afford a babysitter so I would join my mom on these tours. That's something that I love and I'm also grateful that I get to work with my family, including my cousin, Seraphine, who also run tours. 

Do you share stories on the Talking Trees tour?

TC: Yes, we do! This is a story my mom shared with me when I was a little girl, which is similar to stories told on our Talking Trees tour. It’s when Creator was making this land — First came the plants, the animals and then the people. While creating the plants, all the trees lined up to get their names and pinecones assigned to them. There was one tree who was so excited to get his name and pinecones that he ended up budging to the front of the line. Creator noticed this and told him he need to go to the back of the line and wait like the rest of the trees. 

When it was finally the tree’s turn, he was named the Western hemlock. He also got his pinecones, but since he was at the back of the line, he ended up getting the tiniest ones. When you look at Western hemlocks, they are the only trees that don't stand up straight. It’s almost like they are bowing in shame from the embarrassment of being caught budging the line. My mom shared this story with me and now I share it with my niece. It's a story that I'll always remember and cherish.

As a local, what is a tip for first-time visitors to make the most out of their visit to Vancouver? 

TC: Take advantage of the outdoors. We have the North Shore Mountains like Cypress, Grouse and Seymour and I feel so lucky and so rich to have those as my backyard. I hike these mountains all the time and sometimes I take that for granted. There's also the Lynn Valley Loop and Salmon Hat Tree Loop, both of which are also beautiful hikes. When visiting, try to get out of the city and away from high tourist attractions for a day and go be one with the land. 

What are your go-to recommendations for places in the city for getting a coffee or for taking photos?

TC: My favourite place for coffee would probably be 49th Parallel. There is one on Thurlow street in Vancouver and they have amazing coffee and donuts. My favourite place for photos would be Lynn Creek in North Vancouver. It's also a great way to disconnect and take in the beautiful river. The water is so crystal clear that you could see the rocks at the very bottom of it. You can also see old growth cedar trees and the salmon run there. 

What is your favourite hidden gem that most tourists don't know about?

TC: My favorite would be Whyte Lake in West Vancouver. It's a bit off the grid — you walk the trail and follow the river all the way up, where it leads you to the lake. I always like to go for spirit baths at the end and it's just a great way to start my day. It's a beautiful lake.

What do you think the best Canadian souvenir is?

TC: I would say learning a story about our history makes for the best Canadian souvenir.

Feeling inspired to visit Vancouver and go on an Indigenous cultural tour? Many of our trips start or end in this beautiful West Coast city. Learn more about Vancouver train tours or schedule a call with one or our Canadian Insiders.