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CTV News
4 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
40-foot sculpture immortalizes an Indigenous legend in Vancouver's Fairview
A Coast Salish public sculpture has been installed at the West Broadway and Granville Street intersection in Fairview. A new public art installation inspired by a Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) folktale has been unveiled in Vancouver's Fairview neighbourhood. The 40-foot-tall sculpture has been installed at the intersection of West Broadway and Granville Street and will welcome guests into The Stories at South Granville Station, a 39-storey mixed-use highrise due to open next month. A collaboration between Squamish Nation visual artist James Nexw'Kalus-Xwalacktun Harry and multidisciplinary artist Lauren Brevner, the piece pays homage to Sínulhḵay, a supernatural double-headed serpent shared within the oral histories of the Squamish, Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. 'We all have our different versions, but the essence of the story is that Sínulhḵay came through the lands here and left marks all over the region,' says Nexw'Kalus-Xwalacktun, son of famed Squamish Nation artist and master carver Xwalacktun. 'There's this story of the good and bad and the choices that we all have to make. It's an example of how you have to go through your life making a choice between these two polar different decisions.' A common thread within those stories was of the double-headed serpent Sínulhḵay boring tunnels underneath underneath False Creek to connect various sites across the region - a fitting tribute given the location of the piece will also be home to the upcoming South Granville Station. First Nations sculpture in Fairview A rendering of the finished Indigenous sculpture, Sínulhḵay. The sculpture connects Nexw'Kalus-Xwalacktun's Indigenous artistry with Brevner's Japanese-Trinidadian cultural heritage, combining both metal and reclaimed, charred red cedar and showcasing a blackened interior that nods to the traditional Japanese technique of wood preservation, yakisugi. Both artists, who met while studying at New Westminster Secondary School, have been collaborating for over ten years and describe the project as the crux of their artistic partnership. 'All of our collaborative work is that intersectional dialogue between Indigenous and non-Indigenous and, in simple terms, it's about just meeting in the middle,' says Brevner. 'How can we move forward together finding the similarities as opposed to the differences? As a settler, how do we find that path forward? In order to do that, you need to know the history,' she said, adding how it is the responsibility of settlers to know the stories of the people 'who have stewarded this land since time immemorial.' Sínulhḵay adds to the growing presence of Indigenous artworks in Vancouver, and across B.C., that aren't just playing a crucial role in reconciliation but are also preserving the First Nations cultural identity and heritage that was almost lost during colonization. Nexw'Kalus-Xwalacktun says he hopes the pieces incite respect and joy, alongside a thirst for education on the stories and tales that make up Vancouver for those both Indigenous and non-Indigenous living in, or visiting, the city. 'There just isn't a lot of our artwork left, and it's been a real struggle for Coast Salish people to reclaim that because a lot of it was lost. It's only within the last decade or so that we're really starting to notice our people grasp that and understand it themselves,' he says. 'There's really so many beautiful stories, and the artwork itself is so beautiful, and it's just such a shame to almost have seen it disappear. Now we're really celebrating the fact that there's this resurgence and building of the Indigenous identity of the city.'
Hamilton Spectator
16-05-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Sḵwx̱wú7mesh business beat: Meet one of the women behind Nch'ḵay̓
'You don't need big budgets to have a big impact': Squamish Nation member returns home to lead brand marketing for Nch'ḵay̓. She has come happily home, bringing all she has learned along the way with her. A Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) development corporation appointed a new marketing lead last month, who is also a Nation member. Brandi Halls brings to the role not only her professional expertise, but her cultural values, enabling her to implement plans for long-term prosperity. Halls has over two decades of brand-building expertise. She previously worked across North America as brand director and chief ethics officer at Lush Cosmetics, and has now been appointed executive vice-president of brand, marketing and community engagement for Nch'ḵay̓ , the Nation's economic development arm based in West Vancouver, that was established in 2018. Nch'ḵay̓'s 'mandate' is to manage business separately from politics, all the while continuing to uphold traditional values and cultural teachings. Specializing in finance and real estate, Nch'ḵay̓ strives for holistic economic impact on Indigenous as well as non-Indigenous communities. Their projects involve transforming Vancouver's skylines, such as Sen̓áḵw , as well as developing facilities such as gas bars and RV parks. Squamish Valley Gas Bar is an Nch'ḵay̓ business. Mindy Wight, CEO of Nch'ḵay̓ , said of Halls' appointment: 'Brandi's leadership will be instrumental in strengthening our brand and market presence, [her] deep connection to our values makes her the perfect fit to help us achieve our goals in alignment with the Nation's guiding principles.' The Squamish Chief spoke to Halls last week to discuss her new role and professional journey. What follows is a version of that conversation edited for length and clarity. A: I always knew I wanted to bring 20 years of experience in the corporate world back to my Nation. I just really didn't see a pathway there until Nch'ḵay̓ was formed, and I haven't looked back. It's been a tremendous welcoming back home. In my new role, I really get to bring my whole self to work every day. I get to lean into my Sḵwx̱wú7mesh teachings and my passion around Indigenous sovereignty. The cherry on top of all that is that I get to do this with my own community. I'm following in the footsteps of those who walk before me. My grandfather, the late Chief Simon Baker, was an ambassador of Indigenous culture. He was on council for the Nation, and spent his career working for the Nation. My mom, Faye Halls, followed in his footsteps. And now my sisters are both Indigenous educators, so it feels like I found my way back to where I'm meant to be. I don't think I'm alone in that. There are other Sḵwx̱wú7mesh people that [with] the formation of Nch'ḵay̓ [have benefited] their community. A: We [are] 100% owned by the Nation, so that means everything we do [is] always going to be rooted in values and teachings. That's where that inevitable crossover is really natural and feels like the right approach. The separation of business and politics is intentional. It's standard practice for Indigenous economic development arms now, and it really does allow Nch'ḵay̓ to operate at the speed of commercial businesses, and most importantly, allows our council and our Nation to focus on governing its 4,100 people. It works for us. We've got some really standard governance practices in place to ensure that the separation of business and politics [is maintained], but that the foundation of everything we do is the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh way. A: Sen̓áḵw is a brilliant example of short-term strategy for long-term gain. Right now, we have three towers rising from the ground at the foot of the Burrard Street Bridge on our traditional Sen̓áḵw lands. The short-term plan there, of course, is to welcome over 1,000 residents over the next 24 months into our purpose-built rental towers. But the long-term goal here is building that generational wealth for the Nation. That project is enormous in scale for the Nation. Specifically, I am very excited about bringing that story to life. We want folks who choose to live there to feel connected to the land and to the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh people. We are deep in the creative process of bringing the Sen̓áḵw brands to life, imagining 'what is that ad going to look like on the side of buses in the weeks to come?' We're working really closely with Nation artists and knowledge-keepers to ensure that the representation of Sen̓áḵw is authentic and true. I can honestly say that it feels like a once-in-a-lifetime project that I'm really honoured to be part of. [I] get to stretch my creative muscles and lean into the branding work, [and] stay super true to who I am as a Sḵwx̱wú7mesh woman. A: It's a super fine balance [but] our traditional knowledge-keepers can ensure the history we're showing [is] up on our screens, and [that] our mock-ups are accurate. Bringing in young Indigenous artists is another way [to retain that balance]. They've got a more contemporary, modern flair to their work. We're pairing them with knowledge-keepers, other art workers, and designers, so you do really get this beautiful collaboration. We are learning as we're doing. And so far, the process has been really beautiful. Every time we see another version of the artwork that's about to go live externally, we kind of gasp. There have been some tears, and I think we are doing a beautiful job of honouring the past, whilst also celebrating the future. A: The beauty industry that I came from was heavily female, [but] the leadership team in the North American entity of Lush was more male-dominated. I certainly make note of this shift, but also worth drawing attention to is just how lucky I am to work for Nch'ḵay̓, because this organization is led by strong, experienced women in an industry that is typically led by men. Our CEO is Mindy White, our chief development officer who looks after our real estate is Jennifer Podmore Russell, and our board chair is Joy MacPhail. These are all incredibly accomplished women who are really well-known in the industry, and our executive team, which I am a part of; the majority are women as well. Despite the greater housing and real estate industry being more male-dominated, I feel we've done a really great job of lifting women up in our space. 50% of the staff [at Nch'ḵay̓] are also Sḵwx̱wú7mesh people, and 61% of our staff are Indigenous. I've never felt more at home anywhere else, being amongst my people, my community. A: I spent seven years in New York, in Manhattan; I was kind of in the heartbeat of all things brand marketing. The greatest lesson I learned from that time, that I will be bringing into Nch'ḵay̓, is this concept of growing your brand through a really organic grassroots approach. Stepping out of my office door in Manhattan, I was experiencing brand activations in all forms every single day. Niche community building is what I saw, and that's all the way across the West Coast now. You don't need big budgets to have a big impact. What you really need is a team and a community who are super passionate about purpose, and there's definitely no shortage of that passion at Nch'ḵay̓. Being able to nurture this human-to-human approach, building relationships and rapport, that's what's going to result in growing your brand. You just have to lean heavily into building community connection, which transfers beautifully to a brand like Nch'ḵay̓ where our sole purpose is to serve, and build wealth and prosperity for the community of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh people. Everything we do in our team is around connection to our community, and informing [them.] It means that engagement and communications are central to our strategy. We need to ensure, within the way we're operating our businesses and within the way we're marketing them, that our people feel seen and heard. I'm excited to grow the enterprise brand, and the business brands within it. A: You have to have a good product, and you have to have good people, and you have to have purpose. It's really easy to come into a place like Nch'ḵay̓ that is so rounded in purpose, filled with people who are passionate about the work and community. Now all we've got to do is tell the stories, and we need to tell them in a real and authentic way. That's going to be a really powerful marketing tool, but also a community-building tool. *Please note that this story was updated after it was first published to correct some grammar and spelling errors, including the spelling of Mindy Wight's last name. The Squamish Chief apologizes for these errors. Ina Pace is The Squamish Chief's Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) Reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the LJI. The Squamish Business Beat was developed in response to local demand for more business-focused news. To be considered, please reach out to news@ . While funding for this coverage was provided, The Squamish Chief maintains full editorial control over all content.
CBC
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Powwow celebrations are underway around B.C.
If you're looking for something to do and want to learn more about First Nations culture, you might want to consider attending a powwow this summer. Powwows are cultural gatherings that First Nations people have been partaking in for centuries. You can expect cultural singing, dancing and drumming. Food and crafts are usually for sale, but be sure to bring some cash. There are two kinds of powwows: traditional and contest. Contest powwows are just like they sound, dancers and singers compete for prizes, while traditional powwows focus on revitalizing and practising First Nations culture. WATCH | 2024 Squamish Nation Youth powwow: Powwow protocol looks different across the country, but some general rules of thumb are to ask consent before you take photos, show up drug and alcohol free, and be an active listener with the powwow MC to learn more about what's happening. Some Indigenous ceremonies and gatherings can be exclusive to the nation. However, powwows are open to everyone, Indigenous and non-Indigenous. If you happen to feel like dancing, inter-tribals are your chance! Inter-tribals consist of specific songs that open the floor to anyone who wants to dance, no regalia or experience needed. Be respectful, ask questions and enjoy yourself. Find a B.C. powwow to attend here. May powwows Creston Yaqan Nukiy powwow When: May. 16-18 Where: 830 Simon Road 100 Mile House Healing our Children 2nd Annual powwow When: May. 23-25 Where: 2-175B Wrangler Way June powwows Mount Currie Lil'wat Celebrations powwow When: Jun. 6-8 Where: Ullus Community Complex, 82 R #10 Vernon 3rd annual Komasket powwow When: Jun. 6-8 Where: 12420 Westside Rd. Taylor Spirit of the Peace powwow When: Jun. 13-15 Where: Taylor, B.C. Williams Lake First Nation Annual Father's Day Traditional Powwow 2025 When: Jun. 613-15 Where: Chief William Powwow Arbor, 2581 Cariboo Hwy 97 S Boston Bar First Nation Tuckkwiowhum Traditional Powwow When: Jun. 21-22 Where: Tuckkwiowhum powwow arbour Kamloops Kamloopa Powwow 2025 When: Jun. 27-29 Where: 345 powwow trail Kelowna 2nd Annual Two-Spirit Powwow When: Jun. 28 Where: Kelowna city park, 1600 Abbott St. July powwows Vancouver DTES powwow When: Jul. 1 Where: Oppenheimer Park, 457 E Cordova St. West Vancouver 3rd Annual Memorial Squamish Nation Youth Powwow When: Jul. 11-13 Where: Capilano Reserve field Mission VYPER Reclaiming Youth Contest Powwow When: Jul. 11-13 Where: 34110 Lougheed Hwy Penticton Powwow Between the Lakes When: Jul. 18-20 Where: South Okanagan Events Centre, 853 Eckhardt Ave W Cache Creek St'uxwtews Powwow When: Jul. 25-27 Where: Historic Hat Creek Ranch -99 & BC -97 August powwows Quesnel Lhtako Dene Nation Powwow When: Aug. 2-4 Where: 1515 Chief Dominic Road Mount Currie St'at'imc Northern Tribez Powwow When: Aug. 8-10 Where: 347 kwetsa7 September powwow Langley 4th Annual stɑl'əw̓ powwow When: Sept. 12-14 Where: Langley Events Centre, 7888 200 St.
Hamilton Spectator
07-05-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Keeping it clean: Indigenous cleaning business brings ‘good energy'
Sḵwx̱wú7mesh company 4 Directions is looking to grow its business, prioritizing employment for First Nations. The Indigenous-owned company 4 Directions, which currently covers the North Shore and the Sea to Sky Corridor, among other areas, offers residential, commercial, marine, and industrial cleaning, with de-cluttering and moving services, providing a needed service and work for local Indigenous communities. Former health care worker Ashley Paull is the multi-faceted founder of 4 Directions and a member of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) who created the business in 2022. As a spiritual person, she uses her business to incorporate and spread the cultural teachings and values of the Nation by prioritizing the employment of First Nations people. She also hopes to expand to serve clients across Canada and potentially establish another branch, such as a laundry service. 'I come into your home [or] business with love, non-judgment, and prayers. I can sense trapped energy inside, and will pray to free it,' reads her business statement on LinkedIn. 'I feel like when I go into homes, I feel the energy sometimes. There's blocked energy to the point where, like, you can't move right?' she told The Squamish Chief. 'And so that's when I was trained by Elders to tell me, 'You're going to go into this home: it's foster care, or there's a hazard,'' she added. 'The night before, I'll light up my medicine and I'll pray, like I'm in that spot and I'm clearing out the energy.' Paull suggested her chosen business name, 4 Directions, conceptually embodies her holistic practice, in that her business is essentially about four aspects of cleanliness. 'Using '4 Directions' could signify a cleaning service that addresses mind, body, spirit, and environment,' she said, 'Not just physical spaces, but promoting well-being in a holistic way. I want to clean mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically.' Paull previously worked as an employee for a cleaning company and said she became disillusioned with the industry before she began working independently. 'At the end of the week, I was so tired, and I looked at my little paycheque. All that work I put in is for what? I could do it myself. [Being independent] is definitely more liberating,' she said. It all started with a Facebook post offering residential cleaning to make extra money. And the next thing she knew, she was getting booked up and became an independent cleaner. 'And then my friend goes, 'Why don't you get into commercial? So that's when I got a business license, and I went for it. I got my first contract cleaning daycares. It just seemed so unreal,' she said. If clients approve, she can bring her cultural knowledge to the client's space, taking into consideration any allergies, including those of pets. 'There are times when I'll bring in my sage, my sweet grass, and do a little cleansing of their home, and open the windows. … You wouldn't want just anybody to go into your personal space and clean. You've got to trust that person,' she said. Besides the North Shore and the Sea to Sky Corridor, Paull has business connections in the Lower Mainland, as well as the Fraser Valley. She hopes to expand 4 Directions further across Canada, her partner being from Saskatchewan. But she remains extremely mindful and respectful of territorial boundaries, and about keeping her business self-contained, she added 'I don't want to step on anybody's toes, if there are any other First Nation companies out there, I don't want to go into their territory and take over.' Paull said she considers her employees, who are currently all Squamish Nation members, her 'family.' 'My number one rule is family first,' she said, 'I want to build a connection [and understanding] with my employees.' You can book a service or look for work with 4 Directions by contacting 604-354-5554 or Ashleypaull99@ Ina Pace is The Squamish Chief's Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) Reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the LJI.
Global News
01-05-2025
- Business
- Global News
Woodfibre LNG seeks to add 2nd ‘floatel' to house work crew near Squamish
The company building a liquified natural gas (LNG) export terminal near Squamish is seeking to add a second 'floatel' to house its construction workforce in Howe Sound. Woodfibre LNG said Thursday it was submitting an application to regulators to moor a second vessel with its current floatel, the MV Isabelle X, which would house nearly 1,000 additional workers. 'If approved, the addition of a second floatel creates more than 900 new jobs and allows Woodfibre LNG to answer the call to advance and diversify Canadian energy exports, provide more employment opportunities sooner and accelerate construction of the world's first net zero LNG export facility,' Woodfibre LNG CEO Luke Schauerte said in a media release. 2:10 Confusion over controversial floatel near Squamish Activating Woodfibre's first floatel, a converted former cruise ship, proved to be a lengthy and controversial process. Story continues below advertisement Housing the project's non-local construction workforce aboard a floatel was mandated through an amendment to Woodfibre's environmental assessment certificate in 2023, and backed by the Squamish Nation. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy But the District of Squamish council subsequently voted to deny the company a permit to moor the vessel, citing concerns about women's safety, increased traffic, waste management and natural hazards. The district was ultimately overruled by the province's Environmental Assessment Office, which ordered the company to move more than 300 workers who had been living in a camp in Port Mellon and nearby hotels to the vessel. 2:27 B.C. orders LNG workers onto 'floatel' near Squamish The company argues the vessel has since proved successful at housing workers while reducing impacts on traffic and the housing market in Squamish. It said it will seek to retain Vancouver-based Bridgemans Services Group, the same company that procured and refitted the MV Isabelle X, for its second floatel. Story continues below advertisement Woodfibre aims to produce 2.1 million tonnes of LNG for export annually starting in 2027.
