Squamish carvers build canoe at CapU

Photo: Ann Whonnack brushes the log with cedar during a ceremony at CapU on Feb. 25.

Photos and story by Cara McKenna 

A classical Salish-style canoe is being carved at Capilano University after a blessing ceremony that prepared the log for its transformation. 

The nine-metre canoe … Read More

Elder profile: Homalco’s Vera Peacey

By Edith Moore, NmTC communications liaison 

Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council is run with guidance from an Elders Council with representatives from its 11 member nations. The Salish Sea Sentinel is profiling a new elder from the council each month.

When I sat down with Homalco Elder Vera Peacey, she … Read More

International Indigenous language conference comes to Victoria

Wanosts’a7 (Dr. Lorna Williams) speaks at VIU in 2018. File photo.

A major international conference on Indigenous language revitalization will be held in Victoria this summer. 

The three-day event is being held to commemorate the fact that the United Nations has declared 2019 … Read More

Coastal Dance Festival showcases talent from B.C. and beyond

Squamish Nation dance group Spakwus Slolem were one of many groups to perform during the Coastal Dance Festival this year. Submitted photo. 

Diverse Indigenous dance groups from as far as Australia performed during this year’s Coastal Dance Festival in the Lower Mainland.  

… Read More

Malahat artwork added to Mill Bay ferry terminal

Photos: BC Ferries

Artwork created by two Malahat First Nation members is now on display at the BC Ferries terminal in Mill Bay. Jeremy and Jordan Harry painted two panels on the terminal’s wooden enclosure. One features two killer whales breaching … Read More

Kwantlen storyteller brings culture, humour to VPL

Photo: VPL 

By Cara McKenna

Joseph A. Dandurand of Kwantlen First Nation sits in a circle of chairs at an East Vancouver library, about to read a scene from one of his plays called Please Do Not Touch the Indians. 

… Read More

Snuneymuxw-carved Te’tuxwtun Pole unveiled at VIU

Photo: William Good (Tseskinakhen) and his grandchildren, great-grandchildren perform a family frog song.

By Cara McKenna

A Snuneymuxw totem representing the beginning of humanity, healing and learning has been unveiled at Vancouver Island University. 

The Te’tuxwtun Pole, carved by Elder William Good (Tseskinakhen), now stands in the main hall of VIU’s new Health and Sciences building on its main campus … Read More

Work begins to restore Coast Salish place names on mid-Island

Photo and story by Julie Chadwick

For Snuneymuxw Elder Geraldine Manson (C-tasi:a), what’s now commonly known as Mount Benson is more than just a place to take the dog for a walk and enjoy the view. To her, Mount Benson … Read More

Google art camera captures detail in Salish weavings

Photo: A twill weave Coast Salish blanket that was photographed by the Google Art camera. Museum of Vancouver Collection, AA 1267.

A high-tech Google art camera has allowed the Museum of Vancouver to uncover minuscule details in Coast Salish weavings and … Read More

Nanaimo Art Gallery features Indigenous languages

Above: Arlene Deptuck, left, and Jesse Birch of the Nanaimo Art Gallery.

The Nanaimo Art Gallery is hosting Hul’q’umi’num lessons as it explores Indigenous languages and their impact in its latest exhibit. 

athut / Words Bounce features three artists from different places who work in installation, print-making, video and photography. 

The exhibit … Read More