Updated July 2, 2024 – The Log Blessing and start date for the Salish Summer Carving Series has been postponed from Thursday, July 4 and a new date will be advised.
Over the summer of 2024, the SLCC welcomes guests to experience the Summer Salish Carving Series featuring Lil’wat Nation Master Carver Jonathan Joe mentoring Apprentice Redmond Q̓áwam̓ Andrews. Join us for live carving from July (TBD) – September 1, 2024, as they carve the story pole that will then rise to stand alongside the house post carved by Xwalacktun and Brandon Hall of the Squamish Nation in 2023 at the entrance to the SLCC on Lorimer Road in Whistler.
Carving throughout summer at the entrance to SLCC’s Great Hall, the story pole will incorporate designs that honour the Declaration of the Lillooet Tribes signed in 1911.
Guests are encouraged to join Master Carver Jonathan Joe, and Apprentice Redmond Q̓áwam̓ Andrews and experience the Salish Summer Carving Series on Wednesday through Saturday at the entrance to the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre in Whistler until September 1, 2024, and can join a Salish Summer Carving guided tour at 11am Wednesday through Saturday included with Museum Admission.
The carving will feature in the curated Salish Summer Carving Tour included with Museum Admission, at 11 am Wednesday through Saturday until September 1, 2024. The specially curated tour will be a guided journey with an SLCC Ambassador, beginning with a welcome drum song, storytelling will showcase art and oral traditions from both the Squamish Nation and Lil’wat Nation throughout the Great Hall telling of their distinctive connection to the land of the shared territories. The tour will then introduce this year’s Salish Summer Carving an immersive carving session connecting with Master Carver and Apprentice. Guests will learn about the Tree of Life and the spirit of each carving, continuing to give to land and culture long after they have fallen.
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 Government of Canada and the Resort Municipality of Whistler for their generous support of the Sister Poles 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
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
Jonathan Joe
Redmond Q̓áwam̓ Andrews
July TBD - September 1, 2024
Government of Canada, Province of British Columbia Heritage BC, Resort Municipality of Whistler