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Coast Salish Welcome Figure

Sin獺mkin handcarving the figure from a 350-year-old, 40-foot long red cedar log donated by the Squamish Nation. Photo: Charles Do.
Sin獺mkin working on the Sea-to-Sky Guardians: the eagle, bear and killer whale. Photo: Charles Do
Installation ceremony. Photo by 間眅埶AV Creative Services.

Title/Date: Welcome Figure, 2017
Artist: Sin獺mkin Jody Broomfield
Culture/Language Group: Skwxw繳7mesh - Squamish
Media: Carved and Painted Red Cedar
Credit Line: 間眅埶AV Collection
Location: 間眅埶AV, Burnaby Campus, Intersection of Gaglardi Way and South Campus Road

Context

The Coast Salish welcome figure, hand-carved by Squamish artist Sin獺mkin, was unveiled on March 9th, 2017, during a traditional First Nations blessing ceremony. The blessing ceremony is an ancient tradition among the Squamish and was held to ensure that this historical event will be passed on to future generations.

Welcome figures are often grouped within the category of totem poles, but are distinct in form and function from the freestanding multiple-figure poles commonly associated with northern Northwest Coast People. The Coast Salish use welcome figures as markers to welcome people to their territories. They are often carved in a gesturing motion and faced in the direction of arriving guests. They may have arms outstretched in welcome or gratitude. They may also have a hand shading their eyes in a scouting manner, watching for arriving visitors.

The figure was carved with traditional regalia: A cedar hat, woven wool sash, and a cedar bark skirt. The significance of holding a paddle upward is a peace offering welcoming everyone to the campus. Featured on the base are the Sea-to-Sky Guardians: Eagle, Bear, and Killer Whale. The figure honours and acknowledges the surrounding territories of the Skwxw繳7mesh (Squamish), slilwta优 (Tsleil-Waututh), x妢m庛k妢ywm (Musqueam), and k妢ik妢m (Kwikwetlem) Nations. These and many other First Nations continue to exercise their sovereignty and refuse conditions of disappearance despite various dispossessions, erasures, and displacements due to the colonization of these lands.

Additional information

S廎硬x戔w繳7mesh xwumixw - Squamish Nation:

The Skwxw繳7mesh Nation is comprised of descendants of the Coast Salish peoples who lived in the present day Greater Vancouver area; Gibsons landing and Squamish River watershed. The Squamish Nation have occupied and governed their territory since beyond recorded history.

"The Squamish culture is rich and resilient.  We continue to practice our customs and traditions, which are strongly interconnected with our traditional territory.  Together with our lands, our customs and traditions are the foundation of who we are as Skwx滄繳7鳥梗莽堯.&梁喝棗喧;

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