On Friday November 8th, the Lil’wat Story Pole received an Awakening Ceremony, with the Story Pole and Carvers receiving a blessing.
Over the summer of 2024, the SLCC welcomed guests to experience the Summer Salish Carving Series featuring Lil’wat Nation Master Carver nkwel̓ánk Jonathan Joe mentoring Apprentice Redmond Q̓áwam̓ Andrews and was assisted by westa7 Todd Edmonds. The carving incorporates designs that honour the Lil̓wat7úl, the St̓at̓y̓emc Nation and the Declaration of the Lillooet Tribes.. The story pole incorporates designs that honour the Declaration of the Lillooet Tribes signed in 1911.
The story pole stands alongside the House Post carved by Xwalacktun (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh / Kwakwak’wakw / Namgis) and Brandon Hall (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh) in 2023 at the entrance to the SLCC on Lorimer Road in Whistler. Together, the Sister Poles represent a deep connection to the land, the original peoples, bringing authenticity to traditional carving and storytelling in the shared territory of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and Lil̓wat7úl.
Through the Salish Summer Carving Series, the SLCC cultivates the distinctive Skwxwú7mesh and Lílw̓at7úl ways – the authentic Indigenous culture of the shared territories that Whistler stands on, sharing a truly meaningful cultural experience with the community, guests and global audience.
The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Government of Canada, and the Resort Municipality of Whistler for their generous support of the Sister Posts and the Salish Summer Carving Series.
To learn more about the Summer Salish Carving Series in 2023 carved by Xwalacktun and Brandon Hall visit slcc.ca/carving-2023
See the Declaration of the Lillooet Tribes Exhibition in Gallery 2
The SLCC is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10am – 5pm (Closed Monday). The SLCC occasionally closes early for private events and updates can be found at slcc.ca/visit
