Squamish Nation Sculpture Exhibition s t a r v i n g . " H e heeded the advice anyways and went on to study art at E m i l y C a r r and C a p i l a n o College. L i f e has been a r t i s t i c a l l y r e w a r d i n g ever since as Xwa lack tun started sharing his passion for art in schools t h r o u g h o u t the w o r l d , as w e l l as crafting commissioned pieces for corporate and private clients. H i s smile widens as he pulls a s h i m m e r i n g oval of green glass f r o m his knapsack. " T h i s glass represents clarity and w i l l sit in the Thunderbird's eye, reminding v i s i t o r s they are u n d e r the w a t c h f u l eye of the creator." The glass w i l l complement other aspects at the base of the sculpture: A medicinal garden along w i t h p a t t e r n e d b r i c k w o r k in the style of a Coast Salish woven basket. Adds Xwa lack tun, "The garden symbolizes healing, nurturing, and the basket speaks of health and happiness." T h e sculpture's o f f i c i a l d e d i c a t i o n ceremony takes place M a r c h 17 at Ch'tl'am (Ambleside Park. Other S y m p o s i u m events include the Stituyntm - Enduring Traditions Exhibit, r u n n i n g M a r c h 20 to August 31 at the West Vancouver M u s e u m , w h i c h explores traditional Coast Salish art forms through historic and contemporary objects, images and photographs. The Nexwniw Chet - Contemporary Treasures Exhibit, runs M a r c h 2 7 to A p r i l 15 at the Ferry B u i l d i n g G a l l e r y and features w o r k s by prominent Squamish N a t i o n artists, as well as well as carving and basket m a k i n g d e m o n s t r a t i o n s . W o v e n t h r o u g h o u t this y o u ' l l find a rich array of studio tours, cedar weaving, lectures on the Squamish N a t i o n , and an exploration of t r a d i t i o n a l C o a s t a l Salish cuisine and c l o t h i n g . A s w e l l , ' D i s c o v e r the A r t of this L a n d ' w i t h Bill M c L e n n a n , C u r a t o r of the Pacific N o r t h w e s t at the M u s e u m of A n t h r o p o l o g y , a l o n g w i t h notable First N a t i o n s artists for a rare o v e r v i e w of Coast Salish artistic expression. The Squamish art form continues to evolve and grow but, the artists and the People do not forget who they are and from where they come from. For details on all events, visit www.wvculturalcapital.blogspot.com. Xwa lack tun, 2005 FANS Award winner "S7ulh ti Snichim. This is Our Language. Es7d7u7ts chet kwis yewintschet ta s7ulh welh timd-chet 1 t ti _k 'ejksin ti siydtshn. We can understand our world in our own way. 17' jxwijxwat na tel'nexw kwis ties tl'i7 kwis ns7ey_xnitm ti jxaay xwniwchet. We are all aware of how hard it was to guard, to hand down our sacred teachings. Smendlhwit. Ayatway. Chenchenstwaywit. Their dignity. Their caring for each other. Their support of one another. Chdchshaynewas kwis wa nichim timd _k'es iyim ta sjkwdlwnswit kwi hemi syeldnm. In speaking we share their courage, strength for the coming years. Haw _k 'et mdynexw iymen ashdnes jxeyjxdytn, ta sne_kwu7swit, te_xwldm _k swat at. In their laughter and their tears we do not forget who we really are." T - Vanessa Campbell, Squamish Nation, 2000 he S q u a m i s h N a t i o n a n d the D i s t r i c t o f West V a n c o u v e r have j o i n e d together to present the Squamish N a t i o n Sculpture S y m p o s i u m , a series o f e x h i b i t s , p u b l i c p r o g r a m s , a n d s p e c i a l events celebrating the presence and continued history of the SkwxwuJmesh Uxwumixw (Squamish Nation) within their traditional territories. A legacy of the Symposium includes the commission of a Squamish sculpture, created by Squamish N a t i o n artist Xwa, lack tun (Rick H a r r y ) recently installed at Ch'tl'am (Ambleside Park). It's a stunning tribute to beauty, h e r i t a g e , a n d the b o n d between West V a n c o u v e r a n d the Skwxwu7mesh Uxwumixw (Squamish N a t i o n ) . T h e c o n t e m p o r a r y steel piece titled 'Sna7m Smdnit' (Spirit of the Mountain) presents gentle, sweeping lines and curves reminiscent of the Lions Gate Bridge; paddles s y m b o l i z i n g peace and respect; a traditional Coast Salish canoe; and a T h u n d e r b i r d head - w h i c h is the official logo of the Squamish N a t i o n . W h i l e the piece embraces the historical Coast Salish art form, it pushes that tradition forward into contemporary times with the use of steel, glass and brick. Xwa lack tun ( R i c k H a r r y ) , smiles h u m b l y as he discusses his art. " M a n y years ago, a friend suggested 1 b e c o m e a n a r t i s t . I r e p l i e d w i t h , b u t , I ' l l be Blog project sculpture