Nch’ḵay̓ Development Corporation partnered with Keenan Beavis and Longhouse Branding & Marketing to reimagine their website and SEO, resulting in a platform that amplifies Indigenous business visibility and honors heritage through thoughtful, high-impact design. Every element, from the scroll-based storytelling to the business directory, makes Nch’ḵay̓’s mission clearer, stronger, and more accessible to its community and stakeholders.
Key Insights for Brands:
- Design intuitive directories with hierarchy and consistency to improve navigation
- Create websites with SEO and AI Optimization best practices to ensure maximum value to the client
- Working with an Indigenous web agency improves the cultural awareness of projects
Scroll-Based Storytelling Brings Culture to Life
One of the most powerful design choices by Longhouse Branding & Marketing in the Nch’ḵay̓ site is the use of scroll-based animation to tell the Great Flood Story, an origin narrative central to the Squamish Nation.
As users scroll, visual transitions unfold gradually to reveal deeper layers of the story, context, and symbolism. The pacing encourages reflection, inviting users to engage with the narrative more intentionally and personally.
This storytelling technique serves two key goals. First, it educates users about the meaning and significance behind the Nch’ḵay̓ name (Mount Garibaldi), anchoring the site in cultural authenticity. Second, it transforms a static web experience into a living narrative that evolves with user interaction.
Interactive storytelling is a highly effective way to build memory and emotional connection in digital environments. By turning a traditional cultural myth into a dynamic and participatory digital experience, the Canadian web design agency positioned the website as both educational and immersive, creating space for learning, respect, and engagement.
Discover the best storytelling website designs that showcase unique approaches to digital narratives.
Content Hierarchy Drives Clarity and Usability
The Nch’ḵay̓ website layout is highly structured, using vertical alignment and deliberate breaks to guide the user’s journey from leadership profiles to project details. Large typography, alternating content blocks, and consistent image framing give each section room to breathe.
This clear information hierarchy solves a critical challenge from the old site. Previously, users couldn’t easily grasp the scope of Nch’ḵay̓’s businesses or leadership. The new interface has been designed with intuitive scanning behavior in mind.
Led by Indigenous entrepreneur and investor Keenan Beavis, the Longhouse team implemented a mix of timeless branding principles and modern marketing strategies when creating this project, including Search AI Optimization using ‘AnswerMapping’, a strategy originally created by Beavis.
As noted in Google’s Material Design Guidelines, visual hierarchy and spacing are essential for comprehension, especially when presenting complex content. In this case, the redesign translates corporate structure into a seamless digital flow.
Visual Symbolism Anchors Identity Without Clutter
Rather than relying on decorative or literal iconography, Longhouse integrated Indigenous visual cues with subtlety and intention. This deliberate restraint ensures the cultural elements enhance, rather than overpower, the overall message.
These appear in carefully placed moments, such as the totem-inspired illustration near the mission statement and the symbolic patterns between sections. Experienced web designers like Longhouse often follow this approach to avoid aesthetic tokenism while grounding the design in cultural relevance.
Color also plays a strategic role here. Deep reds and blacks dominate the UI, evoking themes of strength, leadership, and connection to the land. The palette reflects Indigenous visual traditions across North America, reinforcing brand identity and emotional impact.
Explore some of the most outstanding bold color website designs to inspire your visual strategy.
Searchable Directory Connects Community and Drives Growth
An impactful feature of the new Nch’ḵay̓ website is its searchable business directory. Designed with clarity, this tool lets users easily explore the Squamish Nation’s diverse enterprises, from tourism to trades. Each listing includes essential business details in a clean, scannable format that supports quick decision-making and encourages local engagement.
Since launch, the site has attracted over 28,000 unique users in just 12 months, averaging more than 2,300 monthly visitors. This measurable growth highlights the power of design that aligns function with community purpose.
By turning an aged directory into a central, interactive feature, Longhouse Branding & Marketing created a digital asset that connects people to Indigenous businesses effectively. For its combination of cultural sensitivity, user-first thinking, and design precision, this website is a standout example of the best website designs.
