New Indigenous language signage and art at SeaBus terminals

Designs highlight work from three local Indigenous Nations (TransLink Photo)

VANCOUVER, B.C. – New Indigenous art and accompanying signage can now be seen inside TransLink’s SeaBus terminals at Waterfront Station and Lonsdale Quay. The installations have been sampled from artwork on the Burrard Chinook SeaBus, which launched in July 2021.

The signage supports Indigenous language revitalization and preservation by creating awareness of the deep connections to the land and waters by the ancestors and current Indigenous community members of the shared and unceded territories of xʷməθkʷəyə̓m (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwxw̱ ú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation).

The two languages on display are:

• hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ (spoken by, but not limited to, xʷməθkʷəyə̓m and səlilwətaɬ)
• Sḵwx̱wú7mesh sníchim (Squamish language)

The art was created by Indigenous artists ʔəy̓xʷatəna:t Kelly Cannell, Siobhan Joseph, andqʷənat Angela George. The artwork is a tribute to the Chinook salmon, which has played an iconic role in life on the West Coast for generations and is a critical part of the ecosystem in Burrard Inlet and the Pacific Ocean.

New Indigenous art and signage locations:

• Lonsdale Quay SeaBus terminal entrance
  • The language on the left of the canopy is hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ and is a joint message developed by xʷməθkʷəyə̓m and səlilwətaɬ, which translates to “Welcome to our lands and waters”
  • The Sḵwx̱wú7mesh sníchim message on the right was provided by Sḵwxw̱ú7mesh Úxwumixw and translates to “Welcome”
• Above the SkyWalk doors at Waterfront Station
• Along the windows near the SeaBus terminal escalators at Waterfront Station

Through engagement with local Indigenous Nations, TransLink’s Transport 2050 Regional Transportation Strategy outlines the importance of key priorities, such as building lasting and trusting relationships with Indigenous Peoples. TransLink is committed to advancing reconciliation by including Indigenous perspectives, cultures, and languages throughout its transit networks.

These new installations commemorate Indigenous Nations and join other Indigenous art throughout the transit system.

Kevin Quinn, TransLink CEO –
“We’re honoured to have had xʷməθkʷəyə̓m, Sḵwxw̱ ú7mesh Úxwumixw, and səlilwətaɬ Nations and Indigenous artists share their sacred and unique languages, histories, and cultures with us. Our hope is that the combination of these cultural recognition pieces will remind us all of the important work we have to do to support lasting and meaningful reconciliation.”

qʷənat Angela George, səlilwətaɬ artist –
“I am so grateful to have the opportunity to create custom artwork that welcomes all people into the region now called Vancouver and Burrard Inlet. The designs of this art hold ancestral knowledge and reflect the vibrant history and beauty of our lands and waters.”

ʔəy̓xʷatəna:t Kelly Cannell, xʷməθkʷəyə̓m artist –
“It is an incredible opportunity to have my artwork become part of visitors’ and residents’ journeys as they arrive and depart the SeaBus terminals. Bringing awareness to my culture, as well as our environmental surroundings, are the most important aspects of my work.”

Siobhan Joseph, Sḵwxw̱ ú7mesh Úxwumixw artist –
I’m honored to have been a part of this project with two amazing female Indigenous artists, and to represent Squamish Nation with my art on the unceded, ancestral territories of the xʷməθkʷəyə̓m (Musqueam), Sḵwxw̱ ú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

More information:
Video of Indigenous art on Burrard Chinook SeaBus
Transport 2050

Media downloads:
New Indigenous signage and art photos

Media contact:
TransLink Media Relations
E: media@translink.ca