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The self Guided walking tours in the Vancouver Coast &amp; Mountains region are more than just a cultural journey—they is an invitation to experience the depth and vibrancy of Indigenous tourism in British Columbia. Developed and led by Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC), this initiative highlights Indigenous welcome poles, figures, and art installations, while connecting travelers with Indigenous-owned businesses, cultural centers, and experiences.

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<h3>Who we are</h3>We are səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation), “People of the Inlet.” According to archaeological evidence and our oral history, Tsleil-Waututh peoples have lived in our traditional territory for thousands of years. The heart of our community is now centred on səlilwət (Burrard Inlet), between Maplewood Flats and Deep Cove in North Vancouver, but traditional use studies and archaeological evidence show our Ancestors occupied a vast area, about 1,865 square kilometres (190,000 hectares). Our traditional territory encompasses wilderness watersheds northwards to Mount Garibaldi, Coquitlam Lake in the east, and Howe Sound to the west.<h3>What you will see</h3>Follow the Tsleil-Waututh itinerary and you'll travel the full breadth of the People of the Inlet's territory — from the shores of Burrard Inlet at Belcarra, where TsuKwalton's welcome poles carry ancient stories of serpents and salmon, to Deer Lake Park in Burnaby, where the Nation's origin story stands in cedar. Along the way: carved benches in a sheltered cove, fritted glass crests above a fire station, an aluminum installation at a North Shore transit hub, and a welcome pole honouring Chief Dan George. Five artists. Twelve sites. The Tsleil-Waututh Nation has called this territory home since time immemorial. The welcome has always been here.

səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)

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The Bill Reid Gallery is the only public Gallery in Canada dedicated to contemporary Indigenous Northwest Coast Art.As a prominent institution located in downtown Vancouver, the gallery is committed to celebrating Haida master artist Bill Reid’s remarkable legacy and the rich artistic traditions of the Northwest Coast while fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for contemporary Indigenous art. Visitors to the gallery can experience the Bill Reid SFU Art Collection and a series of dynamic exhibitions and programs showcasing contemporary Indigenous artists’ remarkable work. Their Gallery Shop features works and merchandise made by and/or designed by emerging and established Northwest Coast artists.Bill Reid Gallery is centrally located in Vancouver within a short distance from the Canada Lines City Centre Station in Pacific Centre or the Millennium/Expo Lines Burrard Station.

Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art

<h3>TsuKwalton (Jonas Jones) · Belcarra Regional Park, Belcarra, BC</h3>səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) · Medium: Carving · Installed: 2023&nbsp;Long ago, a boy was taken by seals. The sea world made him a warrior. He came back to slay the serpent that no one else could face.&nbsp;<h3>The Work</h3>Long ago, as the waters of the great flood receded, sʔi:ɬqəy̓ — the great two-headed serpent — lay across səl̓ilwət (Burrard Inlet). It was a sƛeləqəm, a powerful being, and all living creatures feared it. Its gaze was more deadly than lightning. No one could approach it.One day, a young səlilwətaɬ boy living at təmtəmíxʷtən was swept away by a seal while swimming alone as his sister watched. The seals took him in and raised him as their own. The sea world prepared him — a decade of travelling, training, learning, and living with his kin of the sea kingdom. When he finally returned to the surface world, he carried with him everything he needed to face the task that had been waiting for him.He slayed sʔi:ɬqəy̓. And in doing so, freed the inlet.This pole, carved by TsuKwalton (Jonas Jones) and installed at təmtəmíxʷtən in 2023, carries that story in cedar. It stands in the place where the story was first lived — on the shores of the inlet where the serpent once lay, and where the səlilwətaɬ people have been stewards of these waters since time immemorial.<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://youtu.be/xOu3YnyymWU?si=kuvXUSB0pXgxI_ow">Click Here </a>to watch and learn more of the story of the Serpent Slayer and hear from the artist &nbsp;<h3>Know Before You Go</h3><h3>Located within Belcarra Regional Park. Accessible year-round, free of charge. The pole is best experienced by walking around its full circumference — the carving tells the story from multiple angles.</h3>Best time to visit: Morning hours when the light on the water is still and the park is quietest.&nbsp;<h3>Getting There</h3>By Transit — SeaBus from Waterfront Station downtown to Lonsdale Quay — 12 minutes across the Burrard Inlet. From Lonsdale Quay, connect east by bus toward Deep Cove, Maplewood, or Phibbs Exchange depending on your stop. Allow 35–60 minutes from downtown.By Vehicle — Cross the Second Narrows Bridge (Highway 1) or Lions Gate Bridge and follow signs toward the North Shore. Most Trail sites on the North Shore are 20–40 minutes from downtown Vancouver by vehicle.By Bike — The North Shore Spirit Trail cycling path connects Lonsdale Quay to the Maplewood and Deep Cove corridor.From the VCC: SeaBus from Waterfront Station — 12 minutes to Lonsdale Quay. The crossing travels through the traditional waters of the səlilwətaɬ people.From YVR: Canada Line to Waterfront Station, then SeaBus. Approximately 40 minutes to Lonsdale Quay.&nbsp;<h3>CONTINUE THE TRAIL</h3>→&nbsp; təmtəmíxʷtən (Belcarra Regional Park) · Gateway site · 0 km→&nbsp; Whey-ah-Wichen (Cates Park) · Gateway site · 2.5 km→&nbsp; Return of the Orca at Whey-ah-Wichen · TsuKwalton (Jonas Jones) · 2.6 km&nbsp;

Serpent Slayer - Welcome Pole

At Belcarra Regional Park, on the shores of Burrard Inlet, stands a welcome pole carved by Tsleil-Waututh master carver TsuKwalton (Jonas Jones). It carries one of the Nation's most powerful origin stories — of a young boy swept away by seals, raised in the sea kingdom, and returned to his people as a warrior who could face what no one else could. This is his territory. This is where that story happened. The pole brings it back to the shore where it belongs.

təmtəmíxʷtən (Belcarra Regional Park)

Cates Park, North Vancouver, BCsəlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) · Welcome Site The Tsleil-Waututh people call this place Whey-ah-Wichen. It means 'faces the wind.' The wind has not changed. The people have never left.&nbsp;The PlaceCates Park sits on the north shore of Burrard Inlet in the traditional territory of the səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nation. The Tsleil-Waututh name for this place — Whey-ah-Wichen — speaks to the site's relationship with the natural world: it means 'faces the wind,' and the wind off the inlet here has been shaping this land for longer than any map has recorded it.This is a place of deep Tsleil-Waututh significance. Chief wacəq II, one of the great leaders of the Nation, had his primary residence nearby at təmtəmíxʷtən. It was at Whey-ah-Wichen that his relationship with the marine world — with the sce:ɬtən (salmon), with the waters of the inlet — was most vividly expressed.&nbsp;Know Before You GoCates Park is a North Vancouver District municipal park — free to enter, open year-round. The park offers waterfront access, picnic areas, and trails along the inlet shore. Use the Trail app to navigate to the welcome pole.Best time to visit: Morning or late afternoon when the light off Burrard Inlet is at its best. Quieter on weekdays than summer weekends.&nbsp;Getting ThereBy Transit — SeaBus from Waterfront Station downtown to Lonsdale Quay — 12 minutes across the Burrard Inlet. From Lonsdale Quay, connect east by bus toward Deep Cove, Maplewood, or Phibbs Exchange depending on your stop. Allow 35–60 minutes from downtown.By Vehicle — Cross the Second Narrows Bridge (Highway 1) or Lions Gate Bridge and follow signs toward the North Shore. Most Trail sites on the North Shore are 20–40 minutes from downtown Vancouver by vehicle.By Bike — The North Shore Spirit Trail cycling path connects Lonsdale Quay to the Maplewood and Deep Cove corridor.From the VCC: SeaBus from Waterfront Station — 12 minutes to Lonsdale Quay. The crossing travels through the traditional waters of the səlilwətaɬ people.From YVR: Canada Line to Waterfront Station, then SeaBus. Approximately 40 minutes to Lonsdale Quay.CONTINUE THE TRAIL→&nbsp; Return of the Orca at Whey-ah-Wichen · TsuKwalton (Jonas Jones) · 0.1 km→&nbsp; Serpent Slayer at təmtəmíxʷtən · TsuKwalton (Jonas Jones) · 2.5 km→&nbsp; Spirit of the Wind &amp; Sheltered Places · TsuKwalton (Jonas Jones) · Deep Cove · 2.8 km

Whey-ah-Wichen (Cates Park)

Whey-ah-Wichen — "faces the wind." That is what the Tsleil-Waututh people have always called this place on the north shore of Burrard Inlet, where the wind comes off the water and the territory of the People of the Inlet stretches in every direction. The park on these shores is known today as Cates Park.

North Vancouver BC

təmtəmíxʷtən,&nbsp;also known as “the biggest place for all the people”, is one of many Tsleil-Waututh villages surrounding səlilwət (Burrard Inlet). Since time out of mind, the entire landscape of this area was used by the Tsleil-Waututh community for settlement, hunting, resource harvesting, sacred/health sites, and ceremonial uses.In recent years, səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) has taken significant steps to reclaim our connection to təmtəmíxʷtən and actively preserve səlilwətaɬ values and cultural heritage within the park. This is in collaboration with Metro Vancouver Regional District (MVRD) through a Cultural Planning and Co-operation Agreement that was signed in 2020.During Fall 2023, we heard from the voices of our Tsleil-Waututh members to guide the vision of the park, in what matters most to our community. Through a Community Engagement Process with MVRD of two events and a survey, our members shared vital insight on culture and history, access and participation, learning and stewardship, and relationships.

təmtəmíxʷtən (Belcarra Regional Park),&nbsp;also known as “the biggest place for all the people”, is one of many Tsleil-Waututh Nation villages surrounding səlilwət (Burrard Inlet). Since time out of mind, the entire landscape of this area was used by the Tsleil-Waututh community for settlement, hunting, resource harvesting, sacred/health sites, and ceremonial uses.

səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) Public Art Ceremony “k̓ʷə səlilwətaɬ syəwenəɬ ct&nbsp;– Our Tsleil-Waututh Ancestors” took place on October 25, 2023, at Burnaby City Hall with səlilwətaɬ members and staff, City of Burnaby elected officials and staff, and members of the public in attendance to unveil&nbsp;a carving in the style of a traditional Coast Salish house post created by&nbsp;TsuKwalton Jonas Jones,&nbsp;Tsleil-Waututh artist and member.&nbsp;Commissioned for Burnaby City Hall, this public artwork honours the relationship established between səlilwətaɬ and the City of Burnaby. This incredibly intricate panel brings a two-sided wolf design in relief carving and metal.

“k̓ʷə səlilwətaɬ syəwenəɬ ct – Our Tsleil-Waututh Ancestors”

Public art at Burnaby City Hall: “k̓ʷə səlilwətaɬ syəwenəɬ ct&nbsp;– Our Tsleil-Waututh Ancestors”, a traditional Coast Salish house post created by&nbsp;TsuKwalton Jonas Jones,&nbsp;Tsleil-Waututh artist and Member.&nbsp;

<h3>Jordan Gallie · Phibbs Exchange Bus Loop · North Vancouver, BC</h3>səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) · Medium: Aluminum · Installed: October 2021An eagle looks down. A wolf walks the earth. A Tsleil-Waututh artist placed both of them at a North Shore bus loop — on the traditional unceded territory of his Nation — and called it exactly what it is.&nbsp;<h3>The Work</h3>Most people passing through Phibbs Exchange are thinking about their connection. Jordan Gallie made a work for them anyway.Perception and Integrity is a large aluminum installation on the southeast corner of North Vancouver's Phibbs Exchange transit hub — one of the busiest bus connections on the North Shore. It features two figures from the Coast Salish world: an eagle, representing the ancestors of the Tsleil-Waututh people looking down from the sky as guides, and a wolf, symbolizing the Tsleil-Waututh people who walk the earth now. The piece has a cut-out quality with a copper colour finish — earthy, warm, rooted in the land it stands on.Gallie is a proud member of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, born and raised in North Vancouver. His inspiration to create art began at nine years old, when he first saw First Nations artwork displayed at the Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver. That encounter set a direction he has followed ever since — through the Native Education College, through jewelry and printmaking, through commissions with the City of Vancouver, Fraser Health, TransLink, and the Bill Reid Gallery.Perception and Integrity is one of 14 Indigenous artworks displayed throughout TransLink's system across the Lower Mainland. It was selected through a call for artists coordinated by the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, and Gallie's design was realized in collaboration with Knight Signs.The title holds the two things Gallie wants people to take away. Perception — to look at this place and understand whose territory it is, and what history it carries. Integrity — to meet that understanding with honesty, regardless of who you are or where you come from."No matter where you are, who you are, what walk of life you are, we're all equal. We're here for a purpose, whichever that may be." — Jordan Gallie, səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)&nbsp;<h3>Know Before You Go</h3>Located on the southeast corner of Phibbs Exchange, North Vancouver. Viewable from the bus loop and surrounding street — no entry required. Accessible year-round at any time.Phibbs Exchange is an active transit hub — buses arrive and depart frequently. The work is best viewed from the sidewalk on the southeast corner, away from active bus bays.Best time to visit: The copper finish catches the light best in morning and late afternoon. Quietest outside peak commute hours.&nbsp;Getting ThereBy Transit — SeaBus from Waterfront Station to Lonsdale Quay, then any eastbound North Shore bus to Phibbs Exchange — a major transfer point for most North Shore routes. Approximately 25 minutes from downtown Vancouver.By Vehicle — Cross the Second Narrows Bridge (Highway 1) and follow signs toward Dollarton Highway. Phibbs Exchange is at the intersection of Main Street and Dollarton Highway. Street parking on surrounding streets.From the VCC: SeaBus from Waterfront Station — 12 minutes to Lonsdale Quay, then any eastbound bus. Approximately 25 minutes total.From YVR: Canada Line to Waterfront Station, then SeaBus, then bus to Phibbs Exchange. Approximately 45 minutes.<h3>CONTINUE THE TRAIL</h3>→&nbsp; Integrity &amp; Legacy · Olivia George · Maplewood Fire and Rescue Centre · 0.2 km→&nbsp; Wild Bird Trust of BC · Ocean Hyland &amp; Jordan Gallie · Maplewood Flats · 1.5 km→&nbsp; Syewá:l (Ancestors) House Post · Zachary George (Skokaylem) · Corrigan Nature House · 1.5 km

‘Perception and Integrity’ at Phibbs Exchange

Jordan Gallie's Perception and Integrity — a large aluminum installation with a copper finish — places an eagle and a wolf at one of the North Shore's busiest transit hubs. The eagle looks down as a guide. The wolf walks the earth. The work stands on the territory of the people who have always lived here.

We are honouring Tsleil-Waututh Nation Residential and Day School Survivors by placing orange banners on ten street light poles throughout our community, starting today, September 4, 2024.The illustration on the banner was designed by Ocean Hyland, a Tsleil-Waututh artist. Her piece depicts a moon face, rain, lightning and plant kin. The banners signal to all staff, visitors, and people passing through the community of səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation’s) commitment to holding up our Residential and Day School Survivors.

Orange Banners in honour of Tsleil-Waututh Nation Residential and Day School Survivors

Orange banners on street light poles on the Tsleil-Waututh Nation reserve, designed by Ocean Hyland, TWN artist and Member, in honour of Tsleil-Waututh Nation Residential and Day School Survivors.

<h3>Zac George · Pacific Coliseum · 100 North Renfrew Street, Vancouver, BC</h3>səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) · Medium: Carving · PNE approval securedThis pole honours a man who carried his Nation's story into the world — and who carried the wolf, the killer whale, and the inlet with him everywhere he went.&nbsp;<h3>The Work</h3>Chief Dan George was chief of the Tsleil-Waututh First Nation, author, poet, and Academy Award-nominated actor — one of the most widely recognised Indigenous voices of the twentieth century. This pole, carved by his grandson Zac George, honours his legacy and the lineage he carried.Chief Dan George descended from the wolf clan. The wolf holds particular significance in Tsleil-Waututh culture and is woven into the traditional story of the Nation's origin. The carving features a killer whale — an animal deeply honoured by the Tsleil-Waututh people, who are known as the People of the Inlet. In times past, killer whales travelled freely through the waters of the Burrard Inlet, sharing the territory with the Nation that has stewarded those waters since time immemorial.The pole stands at the Pacific Coliseum in East Vancouver — a public space that has hosted millions of visitors over the decades. It extends a welcome on behalf of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation to everyone who passes through, in the tradition of a people whose welcome has always been genuine and always been here.&nbsp;<h3>Know Before You Go</h3>Located at the Pacific Coliseum, 100 North Renfrew Street, Vancouver. Accessible year-round from the exterior grounds. Viewable from the surrounding plaza without requiring entry to any venue.Best time to visit: Quietest on non-event days. During PNE season (late August to early September) and major Coliseum events, the surrounding area is busy — plan accordingly.From the VCC: 20 minutes by SkyTrain Expo Line to Renfrew Station, then a short walk north.From YVR: Canada Line to Waterfront, then Expo Line to Renfrew Station. Approximately 40 minutes.&nbsp;<h3>Getting There</h3>By Transit — SkyTrain Expo Line to Renfrew Station. The Pacific Coliseum is a 5-minute walk north on Renfrew Street.On Foot — 20 minutes east from Commercial Drive along Hastings Street.By Vehicle — Enter via Renfrew Street north from Hastings Street. Parking available in the PNE lots surrounding the Coliseum.&nbsp;<h3>&nbsp;CONTINUE THE TRAIL</h3>→&nbsp; k̓ʷə səlilwətaɬ syəwenəɬ ct · TsuKwalton (Jonas Jones) · Deer Lake Park, Burnaby · 6.9 km→&nbsp; Syewá:l (Ancestors) House Post · Zachary George · Corrigan Nature House · 5.1 km→&nbsp; Serpent Slayer at təmtəmíxʷtən · TsuKwalton (Jonas Jones) · Belcarra Regional Park · [distance]

Zac George Welcome Pole

Zac George's Welcome Pole honours his grandfather Chief Dan George — chief, author, poet, and Academy Award-nominated actor — and the wolf clan lineage he carried. The pole extends a Tsleil-Waututh welcome to the millions of visitors who have passed through this space.

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<h3>TsuKwalton (Jonas Jones) · Belcarra Regional Park, Belcarra, BC</h3>səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) · Gateway site · Two welcome poles within the parkYou are entering the home territory of the səlilwətaɬ people. They have been here since before these waters had a different name.&nbsp;<h3>The Place</h3>Belcarra Regional Park sits at the head of the Burrard Inlet — the traditional territory of the səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nation, the People of the Inlet. The Tsleil-Waututh name for this place is təmtəmíxʷtən, and it carries meaning far older than the park boundaries drawn around it.This is where two extraordinary welcome poles carved by TsuKwalton (Jonas Jones) now stand — the Serpent Slayer (Stop 2) and its companion at Cates Park, the Return of the Orca (Stop 4). Installed in 2023 as part of a Tsleil-Waututh cultural resurgence, they return Nation-approved storytelling to the landscape where those stories were first lived.The park itself is the threshold. The poles are the welcome. Open the Trail app at the park entrance and let it guide you to both.&nbsp;<h3>Know Before You Go</h3>Belcarra Regional Park is a Metro Vancouver regional park — free to enter, open year-round. The park encompasses beaches, forest trails, and picnic areas along the shores of Burrard Inlet. Use the Trail app to navigate to the welcome poles within the park.Best time to visit: Spring through autumn for the most accessible trails and the best light on the water. The park is busy on summer weekends — weekday visits are significantly quieter.Plan for the full North Shore cluster: The Serpent Slayer (Stop 2) and Return of the Orca at Cates Park (Stop 4) are companion works by the same carver. Allow a half-day to visit all three sites in this cluster.&nbsp;<h3>Getting There</h3>By Transit — SeaBus from Waterfront Station downtown to Lonsdale Quay — 12 minutes across the Burrard Inlet. From Lonsdale Quay, connect east by bus toward Deep Cove, Maplewood, or Phibbs Exchange depending on your stop. Allow 35–60 minutes from downtown.By Vehicle — Cross the Second Narrows Bridge (Highway 1) or Lions Gate Bridge and follow signs toward the North Shore. Most Trail sites on the North Shore are 20–40 minutes from downtown Vancouver by vehicle.By Bike — The North Shore Spirit Trail cycling path connects Lonsdale Quay to the Maplewood and Deep Cove corridor.From the VCC: SeaBus from Waterfront Station — 12 minutes to Lonsdale Quay. The crossing travels through the traditional waters of the səlilwətaɬ people.From YVR: Canada Line to Waterfront Station, then SeaBus. Approximately 40 minutes to Lonsdale Quay.&nbsp;<h3>CONTINUE THE TRAIL</h3>→&nbsp; Serpent Slayer at təmtəmíxʷtən · TsuKwalton (Jonas Jones) · Belcarra Regional Park · 0 km→&nbsp; Whey-ah-Wichen (Cates Park) · Gateway site · 2.5 km→&nbsp; Return of the Orca at Whey-ah-Wichen · TsuKwalton (Jonas Jones) · 2.6 km

Master carver TsuKwalton (Jonas Jones) has installed welcome poles that carry some of the Nation's most significant origin stories. The Serpent Slayer at Belcarra tells the story of sʔi:ɬqəy̓ — the great two-headed serpent that once lay across the inlet — and the young Tsleil-Waututh boy raised by seals who returned to free his people

Explore səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) cultural sites and stories

Discover and Explore Cates Park/Whey-ah-Wichen. This park is home to one of two welcome poles at the entrance of what is called Indian Arm inside Burrard Inlet. Outdoor activities, and oceanfront scenery Whey-ah-wichen is a great place to spend the day. wacəq II (1770-1840) was a Great Chief of səl̓ilwət (Burrard Inlet) with his primary residence at təmtəmíxʷtən (Belcarra). Like his father, he had a close relationship with the natural world. He had a particularly strong connection with marine life. He once came upon two young boys throwing rocks at spawning sce:ɬtən (salmon) in ʔənlil̕wət (Indian River). To teach the boys a lesson about their connection to the sce:ɬtən, he asked the sce:ɬtən to leave the river. It was spawning season and ʔənlil̕wət was usually so full of sce:ɬtən, one could practically walk across it. Distressed, the people pleaded with wacəq II, and he asked the sce:ɬtən to return to ʔənlil̕wət.wacəq II was also a proficient hunter and specially trained warrior. He defended səl̓ilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) Territory from attacks by other First Nations. He met his fate at the hands of several Kwakwaka’wakw arrows while defending ʔənlil̓wətaɬ (Inlailawatash, a village near the mouth of the Indian River). Like his father and the leaders who preceded them, he was wrapped in cedar bark and placed in a traditional tree burial on an island near təmtəmíxʷtən.

Cates Park/Whey-ah-Wichen

Discover the deep history and traditions of the səlilwətaɬ people at Whey-ah-Wichen/ Cates Park.

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Jordan Gallie, a proud member of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, was born in North Vancouver. At a very early age, he was first intrigued by the First Nations Artwork displayed at the Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver. By the time he reached high school, he was already creating tattoos and logo designs for friends and family. Jordan was the first aboriginal youth in Canada to successfully complete a six-month overseas program, where he painted and displayed a six foot Native Sun banner in Bolivia while volunteering with the Canada World Youth organization to help less fortunate children. He has attended the Northwest Coast Jewelry Arts course at the Native Education College, after which his work was shown at the Bill Reid Gallery. Jordan has created logos for various companies across B.C. and is the designer of the artwork in the Council Chambers of Vancouver City Hall. He is also busy creating designs for clothing and multiple products. He draws inspiration from cultural legends passed down through many generations and knows he has found the right path that he will proudly walk on.

Ancestral Stones at Cates Landing

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<h3>TsuKwalton (Jonas Jones) · Deer Lake Park, Burnaby, BC</h3>səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) · Medium: House Post · Deer Lake Park, BurnabyThe first ancestors were bestowed upon us from the creator. This is how the Tsleil-Waututh people came to be — and why Deer Lake Park holds a story that most visitors passing through it have never heard.&nbsp;<h3>The Work</h3>The first ancestors were given to us by the creator. The first grandfather was raised by the four-legged — growing with his animal kin, the takaya. Learning. Adapting to the ways of the wild. He soon found he was different from those he walked with — forever grateful, but yearning for the presence of another like himself.He began to grieve. The grief took hold of him, became hurt and distraught. He dove off cliff after cliff until one day he dove deep, swam to the very bottom of the ocean, and collected sediment from our Mother Earth. He carried it back to his camp and rested for the night in prayer — prayer for a companion he could grow with, in hopes of love.Creator heard him. Creator had pity. Creator gifted us our matriarch.This is how the Tsleil-Waututh people came to be. This story is now carved into a house post by TsuKwalton (Jonas Jones), standing in Deer Lake Park — on the traditional territory of the səlilwətaɬ people, at a park that visitors from across the region pass through without knowing that the land itself holds this origin.The title, k̓ʷə səlilwətaɬ syəwenəɬ ct, means Our Tsleil-Waututh Ancestors in the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ language. The language is carved into the work alongside the story. Both have been here for longer than the park has had a name.<h3>Know Before You Go</h3>Located within Deer Lake Park, Burnaby. Accessible year-round, free of charge. Use the Trail app to navigate to the house post within the park.This park also contains two xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) works by Thomas Cannell — Vitality and State of Nature. Consider visiting all three in a single trip to Deer Lake Park.Best time to visit: Spring and summer when the park is in full growth. The connection between the carved figures and the living landscape is most vivid in the growing season.&nbsp;<h3>Getting There</h3>By Transit — SkyTrain Millennium Line to Burnaby Lake Station, then Bus 144 toward Deer Lake. Or Bus 130 from Metrotown Station to the Deer Lake Park stop on Canada Way.By Vehicle — Access via Sperling Avenue or Canada Way in Burnaby. Free parking at the Deer Lake Park lot off Sperling Avenue. 20 minutes from downtown Vancouver.By Bike — Burnaby Lake cycling trails connect to Deer Lake Park. The Central Valley Greenway cycling route passes through the area.From the VCC: 30 minutes by SkyTrain and bus. From YVR: 45 minutes via Canada Line to Commercial-Broadway, then Millennium Line to Burnaby Lake.<h3>CONTINUE THE TRAIL</h3>→&nbsp; Vitality &amp; State of Nature · Thomas Cannell · Deer Lake Park · Same park→&nbsp; Chief Dan George Welcome Pole · Zac George · Pacific Coliseum · 6.9 km→&nbsp; Serpent Slayer at təmtəmíxʷtən · TsuKwalton (Jonas Jones) · Belcarra Regional Park · [distance]

k̓ʷə səlilwətaɬ syəwenəɬ ct - Our Tsleil-Waututh Ancestors

TsuKwalton's house post k̓ʷə səlilwətaɬ syəwenəɬ ct — Our Tsleil-Waututh Ancestors — carries the Nation's origin story in cedar: the first grandfather, raised by the four-legged, who dove to the bottom of the ocean and prayed for a companion. Creator heard him. Creator had pity. Creator gifted us our matriarch. This is how the Tsleil-Waututh people came to be.

Burnaby BC

Nine Places for Seeing Nine Places for Seeing is the first Platforms program dedicated exclusively to the work of Indigenous artists and was developed in collaboration with advisors from each of the city’s three Host Nations. Over the course of the next two years, Platforms: Nine Places for Seeing will be showcased on multiple public platforms throughout the city and will present new works regularly. It will feature newly commissioned works by 22 local xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and urban Indigenous artists.

Revitalizing our Connections

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Printed vinyl located on lands and waters of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://goo.gl/maps/XEHT6Y2tQJVLPwxy6">999 Canada Place</a> in Downtown Vancouver, BC.Herring lines the hair of the being connected to the sea. The visual representation of the changing tides is seen in front of her using Coast Salish elements, and an orca can be seen dancing in the current above.Pacific herring are a staple food source for many inhabitants of the Salish Sea, including orcas and people. It is important to maintain a balance among the many species that live in the ocean. Our environment has looked after us, and although it remains generous, our relationship with it must be reciprocal. As much as we take, we must also give back.Above the water line, droplets of the Salish Sea are absorbed by the sky so they can transform and make their way down as rain. Trigons represent the space where the water is called up to the sky and sent back down to water the plants, trees, and streams where the salmon are called to return. The moon sits high in the sky, and the Coast Salish eye mimics the sun and oversees the work done in our world. All life is connected: as the moon travels the sky, the tides flow, the wind blows, rain falls, the orcas are fed, and our people are happy. This reciprocal relationship ensures the well-being of us all.

The Winds and the Waters Will Always Call us Home Mural

TsuKwalton (Jonas Jones) · Deep Cove, North Vancouver, BCsəlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) · Medium: Functional Sculpture / Benches · District of North Vancouver Public ArtTwo benches. Two stories. One carved by the same hands that made the Serpent Slayer and the Return of the Orca — and carrying the same deep knowledge of this land.&nbsp;<h3>The Work</h3>TsuKwalton (Jonas Jones) is the carver whose work anchors the Tsleil-Waututh itinerary at Belcarra and Cates Park. These two benches in Deep Cove are something different — not poles standing at the edge of the water, but functional objects made to be sat upon, to be used, to be part of the daily life of a place.The first bench carries the story of Swa7am — the ancestor who brings the wind. An esteemed supernatural being who uses the powers of the skies to bring swift winds wherever he visits. To sit on this bench is to sit in the presence of something ancient and atmospheric — the wind off the inlet here is not random weather. It is a being with a name and a history.The second bench carries the story of Deep Cove itself — the sheltered place. The ancestors of these lands thrived by reading the water and the forest paths, using them as routes and guides. Deep Cove was known as the place where people could take cover from heavy weather — a haven covered with beautiful beings, where feathered kin flourished and abundant flowers bloomed in season.Two benches. Two invitations to stop, sit, and understand where you are. TsuKwalton has put the knowledge of this land into objects designed for rest — which is, in its own way, the most generous act of teaching.&nbsp;<h3>Know Before You Go</h3>Located in Deep Cove, North Vancouver — at the eastern end of Indian Arm. The benches are functional public art installed in the Deep Cove area. Accessible year-round, free of charge.Best time to visit: Deep Cove is spectacular in every season. The benches reward a slow visit — sit, read the carving, let the place do the rest. Weekday mornings are significantly quieter than summer weekends.&nbsp;<h3>Getting There</h3>By Transit — SeaBus from Waterfront Station to Lonsdale Quay, then Bus 212 toward Deep Cove. Approximately 50 minutes from downtown Vancouver. Deep Cove Village is the final stop.By Vehicle — Cross the Second Narrows Bridge and follow Mount Seymour Parkway east to Deep Cove Road. Paid parking in the Deep Cove Village area. Approximately 30 minutes from downtown. Parking fills quickly on summer weekends — transit strongly recommended.By Bike — The Baden Powell Trail and North Shore cycling network connect to Deep Cove. Rewarding ride with significant elevation change on the approach.From the VCC: SeaBus from Waterfront Station to Lonsdale Quay, then Bus 212. Allow 50–60 minutes.From YVR: Canada Line to Waterfront Station, then SeaBus, then Bus 212. Approximately 70 minutes.<h3>CONTINUE THE TRAIL</h3>→&nbsp; Return of the Orca at Whey-ah-Wichen · TsuKwalton (Jonas Jones) · Cates Park · 2.8 km→&nbsp; Wild Bird Trust of BC · Ocean Hyland &amp; Jordan Gallie · Maplewood Flats · [distance]→&nbsp; Integrity &amp; Legacy · Olivia George · Maplewood Fire and Rescue Centre · [distance]

Spirit of the Wind & Sheltered Places

TsuKwalton's two carved benches — Spirit of the Wind &amp; Sheltered Places — invite visitors to sit with the story of Swa7am, the ancestor who brings the wind, and to understand why the People of the Inlet have always found shelter in this place.

Deep Cove, BC

<h3>Olivia George · Maplewood Fire and Rescue Centre · North Vancouver, BC</h3>səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) · Medium: Fritted Glass · District of North Vancouver Public Art ProgramFour Coast Salish animal crests watch over the firefighters who come and go from this building. They have been chosen for what they have in common with the people inside.&nbsp;<h3>The Work</h3>Above each of the apparatus bays at the Maplewood Fire and Rescue Centre, a Coast Salish animal crest looks out over the forecourt. They were selected by Tsleil-Waututh artist Olivia George not as decoration, but as reflection — each animal chosen because it embodies qualities that first responders carry into their work every day.The bear is thoughtfulness and physical strength. A fierce protector. Family-oriented. The symbol of the mother who offers comfort and support in moments of crisis.The heron is self-control and persistence. With grace, elegance, and patience, the great blue heron inspires the introspection and grounding that brings wisdom — the quality a firefighter needs when everything around them is moving fast.The wolf is communication and teamwork. A natural leader, intelligent, tactful, deeply in touch with its senses. The wolf understands that strength comes from the connections between individuals, not from any one of them alone.The woodpecker is tenacity and adaptability. The northern flicker's long migrations — its capacity to learn a landscape and make a home in it — makes it one of the most resilient creatures in the Pacific Northwest.The work is realised in fritted glass — a contemporary medium that allows Coast Salish form lines to become part of the architecture itself, visible from the street as both art and statement. Olivia George was born and raised in North Vancouver, on the territory these crests now watch over. She draws from traditional Tsleil-Waututh beliefs, blending them with modern elements in a way that makes ancient knowledge present in the fabric of a contemporary building."The Maplewood Fire and Rescue Centre honours the land of the Indigenous people and values their knowledge of the area where we live and work."&nbsp;<h3>Know Before You Go&nbsp;</h3>Located at the Maplewood Fire and Rescue Centre, North Vancouver. The fritted glass installation is visible from the exterior of the building — the animal crests appear above each of the apparatus bay doors facing the street. No entry to the building required. Viewable year-round at any time.Best time to visit: The fritted glass is most vivid when backlit — morning and midday light from the east illuminates the crests directly. The building is an active fire station — be respectful of operations when visiting.&nbsp;<h3>Getting There</h3>By Transit — SeaBus from Waterfront Station to Lonsdale Quay, then Bus 228 or 239 east toward Maplewood. Approximately 35 minutes from Lonsdale Quay.By Vehicle — Cross Lions Gate Bridge or Second Narrows Bridge, follow signs toward the North Shore. The Maplewood area is approximately 20 minutes from downtown Vancouver.By Bike — North Shore Spirit Trail cycling path connects Lonsdale Quay to the Maplewood area.From the VCC: SeaBus from Waterfront Station — 12 minutes to Lonsdale Quay, then connect east by transit.From YVR: Canada Line to Waterfront Station, then SeaBus. Approximately 40 minutes to Lonsdale Quay.<h3>CONTINUE THE TRAIL</h3>→&nbsp; Wild Bird Trust of BC · Ocean Hyland &amp; Jordan Gallie · Maplewood Flats · [distance]→&nbsp; Perception and Integrity · Jordan Gallie · Phibbs Exchange · 0.2 km→&nbsp; Syewá:l (Ancestors) House Post · Zachary George (Skokaylem) · Corrigan Nature House · [distance]

Integrity & Legacy

Tsleil-Waututh artist Olivia George's Integrity &amp; 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.

səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)

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