Squamish Welcome Gate
Tied to Nch’kay, Tied Together
Skwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw - Squamish, BC
Rooted in Coast Salish welcoming traditions, the Welcome Gate at Squamish Oceanfront Park speaks to both past and future. Inspired by the form of waterfront welcome figures, the sculpture reflects the resilience and unity of the Squamish people.
Through this work, artist James Harry brings those teachings into the present. The Welcome Gate honours ancestral knowledge while envisioning a future where connection to land, community, and tradition remains strong. It stands as a powerful marker of Squamish identity, resilience, and the enduring relationship with the territory.
The concept for this work originated from the ‘Welcome Figure’ depicted in Coast Salish people’s waterfront welcoming figures. This work speaks of the past while envisioning the future. 10,000 years ago our people endured ‘The Great Flood’ which washed out our villages. We as a society worked together to survive this great challenge where we linked all of our canoes together to create a ‘raft village.’ Our ancestors overcame the great flood by tying our canoes to Nch’kay mountain. Many of our people’s teachings stem from this great event, and to this day it stands the test of time through oral tradition. This sculpture reflects that history and brings light to us, as a Nation, us as the Squamish
people, and our relationship to the land that brings us so much inspiration, life, and love.
Watch James tell the story of his creation, CLICK HERE
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