In the forests and mountains of southwestern British Columbia, Canada, stories of a mysterious creature known as Sasquatch have been passed down for generations. While Americans commonly call the creature Bigfoot, Indigenous communities have their own longstanding traditions and beliefs surrounding this elusive figure. One community particularly connected to these stories is the Squamish Nation, which considers Sasquatch a guardian spirit of the wilderness and a link between the human and spiritual worlds.
An article published by National Geographic introduces us to Henry Williams, a 76-year-old member of the Squamish People who spent much of his life skeptical of Sasquatch stories. That changed approximately 20 years ago when he claims he witnessed something extraordinary near his home in Squamish, British Columbia. According to Williams, a massive, hairy creature appeared near a river and threw an enormous boulder into the water, creating a tremendous splash. The experience completely changed his perspective on the legendary creature.
Williams also describes an unusual tradition following his encounter. He placed several apples on a tree near the riverbank, hoping to leave an offering for the creature. When he returned the following day, the apples had disappeared. He insists they had not been eaten by birds but had been taken whole. For him, this was further evidence that something unusual had visited the area.
The article then takes readers to Harrison Hot Springs, a small lakeside community about 60 miles east of Vancouver. The town has developed a reputation as British Columbia's Sasquatch capital. Surrounded by dense forests, mountain ridges, and the glacier-fed waters of Harrison Lake, the area has attracted reported sightings for nearly a century.
One of the earliest major contributions to the Sasquatch legend came in 1929, when writer and government agent J.W. Burns published an article titled Introducing B.C.'s Hairy Giants in Maclean's magazine. His writing included accounts from members of the Sts'ailes First Nation and helped introduce the legend to a much wider audience.
Today, Harrison Hot Springs embraces its connection to Sasquatch. The community hosts an annual celebration featuring Indigenous storytelling, opened a dedicated Sasquatch Museum in 2017, and even has walking trails featuring Sasquatch statues. Thousands of visitors travel to the area, many hoping to catch a glimpse of the legendary creature.
Williams also shares an interesting perspective on the different interpretations of Sasquatch within Indigenous traditions. He explains that stories vary between villages and are traditionally passed down orally. Some describe Sasquatch-like beings as capable of changing forms and moving between the physical and spiritual worlds.
The article concludes with the author visiting the area's famous geothermal pools, surrounded by ancient forests. Remembering Williams' advice, she leaves an apple near a tree after hearing something rustling in the nearby woods.
Whether the sound came from an animal, the wind, or something more mysterious remains unanswered.