Kitsilano

Kistilano is a neighbourhood on the west side of the city of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The name 'Kitsilano' is derived from 'Xats'alanexw', the name of a Sḵwxwú7mesh chief.1 The area has been home to the Sḵwxwú7mesh (usually known in English as the Squamish) for thousands of years. There is still a small amount of Indian reserve land at the foot of the Burrard Street Bridge, called senakw (usually spelled Snauq historically) in the Sḵwxwú7mesh language, where Xats'alanexw, also known as August Jack Khatsahlano, lived. The area was an inexpensive neighbourhood to live in the 1960s and attracted many from the counterculture from across Canada and the United States and was known as one of the two hotbeds of the hippie culture in the city, the other being Gastown. However, the area became gentrified by 'yuppies' in subsequent decades. Close proximity to downtown Vancouver, walking distance to parks, beaches and popular Granville Island has made the neighborhood a very desirable community to live. Kitsilano is home to a number of Vancouver's annual festivals and events: Each June, "Greek Days" is an annual street festival celebrating Greek culture and food in Greektown along several blocks of Broadway Street. The Vancouver Folk Music Festival is held at Jericho Beach Park each summer. Vanier Park at Kitsilano Beach is home to the annual Vancouver Children's Festival and "Bard on the Beach", the outdoor Shakespeare festival. Now Kitsilano is one of the most layed back areas of all of Vancouver with it's fine beach and some of the most friendly and cool people you will ever meet. Sit back, crack a beer, smoke a doobie and watch the sunset.