Honouring the Lands We Travel On

Cover photo kindly provided by the SLCC in Whistler.

At Poparide, we believe carpooling is about more than getting from A to B. It’s about connecting with people, places, and stories, and recognising the history of the lands we travel through together.

Our story began on the road between Vancouver and Whistler, along the Sea-to-Sky corridor. This breathtaking route travels through the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) and the Líl̓wat Nation, as well as neighbouring Nations including the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh).

From the very beginning, these lands have shaped who we are as a community, and we feel a responsibility to acknowledge and honour them.

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Honouring the lands we travel through

While Poparide began along the Sea-to-Sky, today we operate on hundreds of routes across every province and territory in Canada. With this growth comes a responsibility: we recognize that our operations take place on the traditional lands of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples across the entire country.

We respect these lands and the communities who have cared for them for generations. As we continue to expand, we are committed to honouring the diversity of cultures and histories that make up Canada, and to creating space for all peoples to feel welcome in our community.

Carpooling is one way we can reduce our collective impact on the environment. By sharing rides, we help cut down on carbon emissions, ease congestion, and make travel more sustainable, all while building connections with one another, and promoting mutual respect, diversity and acceptance.

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Giving back to the community

Each year, we show our appreciation by donating $2 per booking on Truth and Reconciliation Day to the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC) in Whistler. The SLCC is a space of sharing and learning, where the cultures of the Squamish Nation and the Lil’wat Nation are celebrated and preserved.

Our connection with the SLCC is meaningful on many levels. In May 2023, our founder was honoured to give a TEDx talk at the SLCC, an experience that deepened our ties with the community and reinforced our commitment to reconciliation.

History of donations to the SLCC:

• 2025: Donation of $2,044
• 2024: Donation of $3,000
• 2023: Donation of $1,878

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Our Ongoing Commitment

Poparide was built on the values of trust, sharing, and inclusivity. But values alone are not enough, they must be lived. We are devoted to ensuring that all peoples of Canada feel represented, respected, and supported when they travel with Poparide: whether for work, family, adventure, or simply connecting with neighbours or fellow members of their community.

We believe every Poparide is an opportunity: to learn, to listen, and to honour the stories of all the peoples across this land. Through acknowledgment, respect, and action, we can help create a future where reconciliation isn’t just a concept, but a shared reality rooted in dignity, justice, and community.

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Take Action

If you want to help make a difference today:

• Wear orange on September 30 to show your support and honour Survivors of residential schools, their families, and their communities.
• Visit the Government of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation page to learn more about the history, the ongoing work, and how each of us can contribute toward healing and justice. (canada.ca)
• Donate to the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC). Your support helps preserve culture, language, and community through Indigenous-led programming. Donate here
• Support the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) which preserves the testimony of Survivors and advances education and awareness. Donate here