Tasha Faye Evans

A collection of five magnificently carved Coast Salish house posts raised along the waters of Saymahmit, currently known as Port Moody, In the Presence of Ancestors is a prayer for the inlet.

Transforming Port Moody’s iconic Shoreline Trail into a path of healing, where the original caretakers majestically resume their place among these lands and waters, it envisions a future of health and well-being for all our relations in these Coast Salish lands and waters.

Carved by Xwalacktun OBC, Brent Sparrow, Zachary George, Damien George and Brandon Gabriel, whose ancestors have been caring for these lands since time immemorial including səlilwətaɬ, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, sḵwx̱wú7mesh and kʷikʷəƛ̓əm peoples. This life-long exhibition of Coast Salish art will line these shores and remind current residents of the legacy they join as caregivers for the land, these waters and all our relations.

Highlighting each Nation individually, each house post is carved under the gazebo at the Noons Creek Hatchery. A program of workshops, free cultural events, and concerts by artists and Knowledge Keepers will support each carving, providing opportunities for each Nation to share their culture, truth, and history.

In the Presence of Ancestors begins at Rocky Point Park with the first installation of Tsleil Waututh artist Zachary George’s house post, Grandmother’s Prayer. Walking two-hundred metres down the path to a clearing overlooking the ocean, is the location for Spirit of Kwikwetlem carved and designed with Kwikwetlem youth and Elders in collaboration with artists Brandon Gabriel and Jonas Bije. A new viewing platform is being built that will feature Damien George’s piece. Creating a gateway looking out into the inlet will be Xwalacktun OBC's piece. Finally, perched on a hill facing the mountain, where Musquem would have hunted elk, will be Brent Sparrow's piece at Old Orchard park.

 

photo courtesy of Tri-City News

"We used to have monumental figures carved and raised along our shores so that when guests travelled by, they knew what family was living there and who was taking care of those parts of these Coast Salish land and waters. Some of these figures raised their hands to welcome you, while others had their own story that you would learn over time. If left to be, these figures would stand for hundreds of years. Nowadays, most of these Coast Salish figures and house posts are tucked in museums all over the world and people are forgetting whose lands and waters they are travelling through. People have forgotten that caring for these lands and waters is our sacred responsibility." — Tasha Faye Evans