xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Cultural Trail

We are xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ speaking people whose identity is rooted in these lands and waters. Our presence is continuous and living, carried through carving, weaving, ceremony and everyday life. This trail invites visitors to travel through parts of our traditional territory that include the shoreline near the river, the international arrival routes at the airport and public spaces throughout the city where Coast Salish art now stands in places where our ancestors once gathered.

The name xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) relates back to the flowering plant, məθkʷəy̓, which once abundantly grew throughout Musqueam territory. There is a sχʷəy̓em̓ that has been passed on from generation to generation that explains how we became known as xʷməθkʷəy̓əm – place where the məθkʷəy̓ grows.

Along this journey you will encounter works such as the Musqueam Welcome Figures and the Flight spindle whorl at the airport, monumental gateways like People Amongst the People in Stanley Park and large scale weaving inspired murals like Blanketing in Granville Island & North Vancouver. These artworks are not just installations but active expressions of welcome, memory and renewal. They mark territory, speak to our relationship with salmon and water and reflect how Coast Salish designs continue to shape the urban landscape.

This trail is not a recreation route but a cultural pathway. It follows the movement our people have always made across the land and invites you to look at the city through our teachings. Each stop is a reminder that our stories are still present and that our connection to the land is ongoing.

To learn more about xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) CLICK HERE