The Nation’s Hall

There are several totems adjacent to the shíshálh Nation’s Hall of Swiyk’als Drive. The two larger totems, carved by Jimmy Joseph, Frank Dixon, and Jamie Jeffries in 1986 and 1988, commemorate the achievement of self-government by the shíshálh Nation. On the lawn in front of the Hall, a circle of totems carved by Jamie Jeffries surrounds a plaque describing the shíshálh Nation. Originally, there was a group of seven figures, but now only four remain.

Three of these figures were faceless, representing the Nation’s position under the Indian Act. Three others had faces, representing the Nation’s position and identity as a self-governing people.

The seventh totem in this group has a plaque in honour of the restoration of self-government through federal legislation for the shíshálh people. It honours David Crombie and Chief Stan Dixon, a working team in developing Bill C-93, the self-government enabling legislation.