Exhibit Opening: Chátwilh: The Craft and Culture of the Squamish Canoe

         

     The Sunshine Coast Museum and Archives, in partnership with the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre present:

Chátwilh: The Craft and Culture of the Squamish Canoe explores the craft of canoe making and the rich culture that surrounds it.  The exhibit features Stelkaya or “Striking Wolf” - a 28 foot 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 Chief Ian Campbell at the Vancouver Maritime Museum and was then transferred to the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre in Whistler. As a result of our work with the Squamish Nation, an exhibit exchange will see our Kwekwinmut stone tool exhibit showcased at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre. In return, we are honoured to host Chátwilh at the Sunshine Coast Museum and Archives until May 2014. We look forward to sharing this exhibit with the public and developing further partnership opportunities with both the Squamish Nation and the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre.

The Sunshine Coast Museum & Archives invite the public to the Opening Celebration on Saturday, July 20^th from 1 pm to 3 pm. Chief Ian Campbell, honored guest and curator of the exhibit, will start the celebration with a welcoming to the Squamish territory and an opening speech. Admission is by donation.  For more information, please feel free to contact the museum at 886-8232.