The Sunshine Coast Museum and Archives, in partnership with the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre, is presenting Chátwilh: the craft and culture of the Squamish canoe on Saturday, July 20, with a public opening and celebration.
The celebration is from 1 to 3 p.m. at the museum. Chief Ian Campbell, honoured guest and curator of the exhibit, will start the celebration with an opening speech and a welcoming to the Squamish territory. Admission is by donation.
This wonderful exhibit explores the craft of canoe making and the rich culture that surrounds it. The exhibit features Stelkaya or Striking Wolf -a 10-metre canoe that was carved from a single piece of ancient red cedar. Its chátwilh (canoe carver), Sessiyám (Ray Natraoro), is a member of the Wolf clan and a modern master of the ancient Squamish craft.
The Chátwilh exhibit was originally curated by Campbell at the Vancouver Maritime Museum and was then transferred to the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre in Whistler. As a result of the museum's work with the Squamish Nation, an exhibit exchange will see the museum's Kwekwinmutstone tool exhibit showcased at the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre. In return, the Sun-shine Coast Museum and Archives is honoured to host Chátwilh until May 2014.
For more information, call the museum at 604-886-8232 or see www.sunshinecoastmuseum.ca.
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