səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) is one of many groups of Coast Salish peoples living in the Pacific Northwest, throughout British Columbia. The knowledge of the lands and waters of our traditional territory has shaped our people.
Many generations have lived and thrived in this area, due in no small part to an abundance of resources. We have a sacred trust, a responsibility to care for and restore our traditional territory to its former state. Our stewardship of the land, air, and water is deeply ingrained in our culture because we understand the health of our people is interconnected with the environment we inhabit.
Today our nation is 600+ people strong and growing. We draw on the knowledge of our ancestors to remedy past wrongs, reclaim our territory and traditions, and advance into a bright future. We assert our Aboriginal rights and title and put the Tsleil-Waututh face back on our traditional territory in all that we do.
Welcome to səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation)
2375 Bedwell Bay Rd, Belcarra, BC, CA, V3H 4S3
təmtəmíxwtən translates to “the biggest place for all the people” in the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ language and the site is the largest of Tsleil-Waututh’s ancestral villages, primarily occupied as a winter village. Tsleil-Waututh had occupied təmtəmíxwtən since time out of mind until colonization and still has strong, ongoing cultural ties to this place.
2375 Bedwell Bay Rd, Belcarra, BC, CA, V3H 4S3
“Serpent Slayer” welcome pole at təmtəmíxʷtən (Belcarra Regional Park) carved by TsuKwalton Jonas Jones, Tsleil-Waututh artist and Member.
Click Here to watch a video of the ceremony held for the welcome poles at Whey-ah-Wichen and təmtəmíxʷtən (Belcarra Regional Park)
4141 Dollarton Hwy, North Vancouver, BC, CA, V7G 1A1
Cates Park, known by its traditional səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) name, Whey-ah-Wichen—“Faces the Wind”—is a vibrant waterfront park on The North Shore Edge. Stretching six kilometers along Burrard Inlet, it is a place where nature and history intertwine.
4141 Dollarton Hwy, North Vancouver, BC, CA, V7G 1A1
"Return of the Orca" is a significant cedar totem pole by səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) artist Jonas Jones, located at Whey-ah-Wichen (Cates Park) in North Vancouver, honouring Indigenous history and connection to the sea, representing the Tsleil-Waututh people's enduring spirit and cultural ties, especially relevant as real orca pods frequent these waters.
Click Here to watch a video of the ceremony held for the welcome poles at Whey-ah-Wichen and təmtəmíxʷtən (Belcarra Regional Park)
Spirit of the Wind Bench
Swa7am is the ancestor who brings the wind. An esteemed super natural being who uses the powers of the skies to bring swift winds wherever he visits.
Sheltered Place Bench
The ancestors of these lands thrived using the waters and forest paths to travel along and guide them. Deep Cove was known as the sheltered place, where people could take cover from heavy weather. An amazing haven coved with beautiful beings and where feathered kin flourished with abundant flowers bloom in season.
2410 dollarton hwy, North Vancouver, BC, Canada, V7H2Y1
Tsleil-Waututh artist Olivia George's Integrity & Legacy renders four Coast Salish animal crests — bear, heron, wolf, and woodpecker — in fritted glass above the apparatus bays, each chosen for the qualities they share with first responders.
267 Orwell St, North Vancouver, BC, CA, V7J 2G2
Located at the south-east side of the exchange along Main Street is the artwork titled Perception and Integrity by artist Jordan Gallie from səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation).
The aluminum sculpture reflects the connection to the sky and land while celebrating the strength of Tsleil-Waututh Nation. The copper-toned design features an eagle, representing Coast Salish ancestors guiding from above, and a wolf, symbolizing the Tsleil-Waututh people walking the Earth today. The artwork was installed and unveiled during a traditional blessing ceremony held in October 2024.
630 Hamilton Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6B5N6
Syewá:l (Ancestors) is a house post commissioned through our Public Art Program, in partnership with Vancouver Civic Theatres. It is located at šxʷƛ̓exən Xwtl’a7shn, the plaza outside the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.
100 N Renfrew St, Vancouver, BC, CA, V5K 3N7
This pole honours Zac George's grandfather, Chief Dan George, who was chief of Tsleil-Waututh First Nation as well as author and Academy Award-nominated actor. Chief Dan George is descended from the wolf clan. The wolf is particularly important animal to the Tseil-Waututh people, according to their traditional story of origin. The carving features a killer whale, an animal honoured by the Tsleil-Waututh people. In times past, the killer whale would travel freely through the waters of the Burrard Inlet, part of the traditional territory of the Tsleil-Waututh, who are known as the “people of the Inlet”.
5435 Sperling Ave, Burnaby, BC, CA, V5E 2L8
This artwork was commissioned for Burnaby City Hall to honour the relationship between the City of Burnaby and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nation.
Click here to watch a video of the the artist and the story.
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Who we are
We are traditional hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓-speaking people. Today, we are a strong, growing community of over 1,300 members. Many of our members live on a small portion of our traditional territory, known as the Musqueam Indian Reserve, located south of Marine Drive near the mouth of the Fraser River. We have always moved throughout our territory using the resources it provides for fishing, hunting, trapping and gathering.