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Secwepemc Museum & Heritage Park
Secwepemc Museum & Heritage Park
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The Secwepemc Museum & Heritage Park is located along the banks of the beautiful South Thompson River. The Secwepemc Museum & Heritage Park consists of both an inside and outside viewing experience for visitors. The tour of the museum offers a rich history of the life of the Secwepemc people. Once inside the museum visitors can view "The Land of the Secwepemc" DVD, and can then immerse themselves in the beautiful artefacts and displays within the four galleries that are offered.Afterwards, the Heritage park offers a trail of over a kilometre of archaeological remains of a 2,000 year old Secwepemc winter village. The winter village consists of 1 reconstructed winter pit-houses, and summer tule mat lodges which feature various unique food preparation structures. In addition; for viewing pleasure, is one of Kamloops Marshes that is filled with beautiful wildlife and visitors may even be able to get a glimpse of the Coyote (Skelep) and her pups that are currently living in the area.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.0
79 reviews
Excellent
31
Very good
37
Average
6
Poor
3
Terrible
2
Karen B
Kamloops, Canada69 contributions
Aug 2015
This museum was interesting, historical and well worth the visit. Make sure you watch the video and take the walk around the outside to see the homes and plants. It was one of the best tourist attractions in the area, a don't miss.
Written November 6, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DeanMurphy2020
Orlando, FL7,548 contributions
Sep 2015 • Friends
I learned that the Canadian government—much like America’s Bureau of Indian Affairs—forced “First Nations” (indigenous) peoples into what can only be called internment camps to “reeducate and cleanse” them of their culture and language. The official name of these centers was Residential Schools. Children were taken from their parents in cattle cars and segregated on these compounds, the last of which closed in the 1990s. The person who provided the educational narrative was taken from his family as a youth and was forced to live in the “school” that is now the museum. A startling fact I learned in the museum is that one in 26 Canadian soldiers died in World War II; one in 25 First Nations children died in Residential Schools. A hard lesson is learned, but one that may help all learn the art of tolerance.
Kamloops means “where two waters meet,” specifically the Thompson and Fraser rivers. Photos are not allowed inside the museum, thus the accompanying pix is only of the sign at the entrance.
Kamloops means “where two waters meet,” specifically the Thompson and Fraser rivers. Photos are not allowed inside the museum, thus the accompanying pix is only of the sign at the entrance.
Written October 7, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sue-and-Steve-Ascot
Ascot, UK252 contributions
Jun 2014 • Couples
This is an excellent place to get closer to First Nation culture and people. It may not have the monumental carvings of the MOA but you learn a lot more about how First Nation people live and lived. It is relatively small but there are some good exhibits and the staff are very helpful and friendly - though it does close early!
A good way to spend an hour or two in Kamloops
A good way to spend an hour or two in Kamloops
Written July 3, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kristin L
Toronto, Canada155 contributions
Sep 2013 • Solo
For $10, you really can't go wrong. An interesting look into the local history of British Columbia, complete with a recreated winter village. Easily seen in about 2 hours.
Written September 11, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Darleen P
Kamloops25 contributions
Apr 2013 • Friends
A good overview of the heritage of local aboriginal history. Visitors to the heritage park should be able to walk a fair distance in order to view the whole area. During summer months go in the morning to avoid the heat.
Written August 4, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lenore M
Peachland, Canada55 contributions
Dec 2015 • Family
It gives a wonderful insight to a part history we were not taught in public school. This being a previous residential school gives you a look at what First Nations children had to endure. I can imagine what it would be like to have my children taken from me. It is well worth a visit
Written December 15, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Don Wright
Vancouver, Canada1,323 contributions
Aug 2015 • Friends
The Secwepemc Museum is worth crossing the river for. The main exhibition area is in a building that formerly served as the residence for the nuns and priests who ran the Indian residential school next door. This is where First Nations children, forcibly taken from their families, endured unspeakable horrors as the church and state conspired to "kill the Indian in the child". Through the retelling of local stories and legends, well organized displays show life in the region prior to the arrival of settlers. The museum also describes the legacy of displacement and repression of Indigenous culture, and the reclaiming of First Nations pride and place. There is also an outdoor area that includes reconstructed winter pit houses, and a trail that points out which local plants were used for food and medicines.
Written October 31, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Traveler
South America144 contributions
Aug 2015 • Friends
I brought a group of international students here in the summer. Unfortunately, I was keeping my students on track, so I didn't have much of a chance to take in the exhibits. However, we did get a tour from 2 nice ladies who worked there. I would call it a fairly bare bones museum- it's not very big, and the exhibits aren't glossy or high-tech. This museum is really suited for those who want to understand more about this dark chapter in Canadian history, and who appreciate First Nations culture. If history and museums are your passion, it's definitely worth visiting.
There is also an outdoor part to the museum. On the area along the river, they have a sort of garden/orchard with paths and some pit houses. Most of the pit houses have collapsed, but one is still accessible. The lady giving us the tour in the outside area was very knowledgeable about the plants and their medicinal properties.
I should note that the museum is housed in one of a complex of buildings that used to be the Residential School. First Nations students were housed and educated there, having been removed from their families. That is part of what the museum chronicles. The buildings are on the Reserve, which makes them difficult to access without a vehicle. There are also no public buses that stop nearby. If you want to visit, you will need to drive or hitch a ride.
There is also an outdoor part to the museum. On the area along the river, they have a sort of garden/orchard with paths and some pit houses. Most of the pit houses have collapsed, but one is still accessible. The lady giving us the tour in the outside area was very knowledgeable about the plants and their medicinal properties.
I should note that the museum is housed in one of a complex of buildings that used to be the Residential School. First Nations students were housed and educated there, having been removed from their families. That is part of what the museum chronicles. The buildings are on the Reserve, which makes them difficult to access without a vehicle. There are also no public buses that stop nearby. If you want to visit, you will need to drive or hitch a ride.
Written October 28, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barrie B
6 contributions
Sep 2015 • Couples
A great place to learn and understand some of the history, culture and social life of the indigenous peoples of British Columbia.
Written October 4, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alexandre G
Vancouver, Canada25 contributions
Aug 2015 • Family
Some people compare this museum to the MOA of Vancouver. They are entirely different. The MOA contains art objects (decorated canoes, totems and so on). The Secwepemc (it is quite hard to write and harder to pronounce!) museum, on the other hand, explains the history of First Nations living around the Shuswap Lake.
You will understand their lifestyle: what do they eat, how do they hunt, fish, build their homes. You will also take a look at their history: when Europeans arrived in Canada and tried to convert them to Catholicism.
After visiting the museum, there is a park outside where you can take a walk on this historical site and get even more information.
I recommend this museum if you are interested in the history of First Nations or if you want to understand their lifestyle.
Cameras are not welcomed.
You will understand their lifestyle: what do they eat, how do they hunt, fish, build their homes. You will also take a look at their history: when Europeans arrived in Canada and tried to convert them to Catholicism.
After visiting the museum, there is a park outside where you can take a walk on this historical site and get even more information.
I recommend this museum if you are interested in the history of First Nations or if you want to understand their lifestyle.
Cameras are not welcomed.
Written August 26, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Claim your listingSecwepemc Museum & Heritage Park - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Secwepemc Museum & Heritage Park
- Hotels near Secwepemc Museum & Heritage Park:
- (0.30 mi) Country View Motor Inn
- (0.30 mi) Rider's Motor Inn
- (0.44 mi) Riverland Inn & Suites
- (0.93 mi) Scott's Inn and Suites - Kamloops
- (0.40 mi) Kings Motor Inn
- Restaurants near Secwepemc Museum & Heritage Park:
- (0.25 mi) Tim Hortons
- (0.28 mi) Burger King
- (0.34 mi) Harold's Family Restaurant
- (0.26 mi) Wendy's
- (0.26 mi) Tim Hortons