Wisdom of the Animal People: Cultural Sharing

Wisdom of the Animal People

Sk̲wx̲wú7mesh & Líl̓wat7ul Ways of Knowing

Animals play important roles in Sk̲wx̲wú7mesh Úxwumixw and Líl̓wat7úl cultures-we honour them in many ways. We wear their hides as clothing, feature them in artwork, and they’re the central character in our stories, songs and dances. They’re important educational tools, sharing history, morals and values with our children.

In the Squamish Legend known as Ta X̱aays (the transformers) after light was created and then land was created, the first animal(s) to be created were all that can fly, and next to be created were all that can run on four legs, and the next that was created were all that can crawl & swim and the last to be created were the Human beings. So being the last to have been created makes the humans the sḵa7ḵ (younger sibling) and everyone else the kwepkwúpits (older siblings).

In the Lil’wat Legend known as How the Animals and Birds Got Their Names, told by Nts’elasq’et, or “s7á7a7” Crow in his early years, late Elder Charlie Mack, during the Great Flood all of the animals and birds died waiting to find dry land. The Kúkwpi7 (the Chief) called all of the people to a special gathering. At the meeting, they were asked to sing their songs, for whatever power they had. Everyone sang. One by one, they all made the sounds of different animals and birds and then turned into them.  Animals, birds, people and land are one and the same.

This exhibit features artwork from Sk̲wx̲wú7mesh Úxwumixw and Líl̓wat7úl youth created as they learn more about their own culture. Jazmine (Ts̓qáxa7) Andrew, Hayden Sampson, Nakeisha Williams, Melody Bruce Joseph, Qawam Redmond Andrews,  T. Ben Lewis, Leanne Bird Lewis, Matthew Cole, the Project Based Learning Class St’a7mes School – Learning Expeditions, and the Yéw’Yew Classroom St’a7mes School – Learning Expeditions..

Join us as we explore the roles animals play in our songs and dances.