The Vancouver Art Gallery is situated on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) nations.

 

As you enter the Gallery, you will discover a welcome message from the three Host Nations designed in collaboration with four artists—Chief Chepximiya Siyam’ Janice George (Squamish), Skwetsimeltxw Willard (Buddy) Joseph (Squamish), Debra Sparrow (Musqueam) and Angela George (Tsleil-Waututh). The Gallery has worked with these artists to develop a visual land acknowledgement that reflects the values and mission of the Gallery—one that centres the living histories and artists of this place, Vancouver. Guided by our four pathways, the Gallery continues to celebrate Indigenous culture through respectful and collaborative relationships and programs.

Each welcome statement is represented in the language of each of the three Host Nations, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh).

 

Below, you will find each statement translated into English in the order that they appear on the wall:

 

Musqueam

Our blankets are the foundation of who we are. Woven deep within them are our ceremonies, education, and laws. We stand on them. When asked of our people, “who said this land belongs to you? I don’t see it written anywhere.” It isn’t written on a mountain top. It is written in the earth.

Wherever you open the earth, we are there.

We are connected.

 

Squamish

To each of you respected ones I would like to thank you all for your arrival here. We want to rise our hands in respect to my great grandparents from X̱wáy̓x̱way.

I would like to raise my hands to pápiy̓eḵ where my great-great grandmother was from. I am so thankful for lands of my Squamish people, places like ch’ax̱áy (horseshoe bay) where all our Squamish people who camped at this site used to gather their herring roe. I am very thankful for my family stories of my great grandfather who hunted mountain Goats at, in and around the sister twins in upper Capilano.

I thank you all.

That’s it, and that’s the way it is.

 

Tsleil-Waututh

Welcome into the Land of Our Tsleil-Waututh Ancestors. The first grandmother here taught her children and our grandmothers have always nurtured and strengthened the wealth of these lands and waters.