COPPER SUN
About
Bella Coola | Q'umk'uts | Nuxalkulmc
Our Vision
To be a leader in Indigenous ecotourism, guided by the teachings of our ancestors and grounded in Nuxalk values. We envision a future where culture, conservation, and community thrive together, inspiring visitors and future generations to respect, protect, and celebrate the lands, waters, and stories that define Nuxalk Territory
The Copper Sun was established in 2015 to provide a genuine Nuxalk experience. Located in Nuxalkulmc on the Central Coast in beautiful Q'umk'uts (Bella Coola).
Copper Sun is a subsidiarity of Nunumus Management Ltd.
For more information visit: nunumus.ca
Nuxalkmc Guides goals is to inform and engage our guests while
deepening their understanding of our complex and rich history.
Copper Sun Manager
Lip'tsutlaycana (Shanti Tallio-Milton)
Yaw, nts lha Lip'tsutlaycana. My english name is Shanti Tallio-Milton, and I am proudly from the Nuxalk and St'at'imc Lil'wat Nations.
My Nuxalk name, Lip'tsutlaycana, means "she who will always return." it was gifted to me as a young girl by my great-grandmother Louisa Tallio, along with other respected Nuxalk knowledge keepers. The name reflects my deep connection to my people, culture, and homelands.
Growing up in Nuxalkulmc (Nuxalk Territory), I developed a strong relationship with the lands, waters and wildlife that have sustained our people since time immemorial. I have worked in tourism and guiding throughout the Bella Coola Valley and Tweedsmuir Park Lodge, and have spent many years exploring and sharing the natural and cultural richness of our territory. Through both professional and personal guiding experiences, I have developed a deep understanding of the territory and the ecosystems, wildlife and Nuxalk cultural teachings.
My passion for wildlife, particularly bears, has become well known throughout the region. As The Nature Conservancy noted "At 23 years old, Tallio-Milton, a member of the Nuxalk Nation - one of the 17 Nations leading the historic Great Bear Sea Initiative - already has a reputation as a bear finder extraordinaire" (The Nature Conservancy, 2025).
Today, I am honoured to share Nuxalk culture, history, and perspectives with visitors through authentic, respectful, and culturally grounded experiences. My goal is to help guests build a meaningful connection to this place while learning about the living traditions, stories, and stewardship practices that continue to shape Nuxalkulmc.
Guide
Tuka (Zacheriah Nelson)
My first given English name is Zacheriah but nowadays I’m widely known by my Nuxalk name Tuka which in our language means Mink, this name was given to me by my late grandfather James Nelson Senior when I was a young boy.
Although I was not born and raised in Nuxalk ancestral territory, my father and grandfather were, and that connection has been an important part of my identity. I am half Nuxalk (North Coast Salish) and half Tla’amin (South Coast Salish). Over the past 5 years , I have led walking cultural tours with the Copper sun journey’s, Where I have gained invaluable knowledge from both my mentors and the many people I have the opportunity to meet and learn from each day.
As a cultural tour guide, my role is to educate and entertain. I share stories that have been passed down through generations, Preserving voices of our people since time immemorial. Our goal is to inform and engage our guests while deepening their understanding of our complex culture and rich history.
I have always had a strong interest in my peoples culture and history for as long as I can remember. I enjoy telling our old stories and singing our peoples songs but most of all I am grateful for the new perspective our guests find when they decide to join us in this shared experience.
I believe there is something for everyone on the tours we offer be it Totem poles, old growth trees, or the ancient rock carvings among the other tours we offer. I feel everyone should experience visiting our beautiful valley at least once in their lifetime.