The Squamish Nation Welcome Figure is a West Vancouver landmark in Ambleside Park, visible from Lions Gate Bridge, Stanley Park, and the waterfront of West Vancouver.
Carved at Mosquito Creek Marina, this 16 foot high figure is mounted on a 5 foot high concrete base. Constructed from an old growth cedar log from Hollyburn Mountain, the Welcome Figure is a gift from the Skxwúm̓ish Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), marking K’aya’chtn (gathering of ocean canoes).
In honour of the teachings and wisdom of the Squamish Nation grandmothers, the sculpture fosters respect for the land, animals, and people that occupy it.
With open arms to all who pass our shores, this Welcoming Figure was raised at the first K’aya’chtn. The Skxwúm̓ish Úxwumixw dedicated the figure to the citizens of West Vancouver on July 25, 2001, with this prayer:
Ḵ’ay̓áchtn, lha wa ns7eyx̱ slhánay̓ Chet kw’enmantúmiyap, i7x̱w ta néwyap, cheshchésha7-cht, swa7ám̓-cht: i7x̱w ta nexwníw̓ i7x̱w ta wa lhtim̓á chet i7x̱w ta chiy̓áxw i7x̱w ta syétsem chet wa yúustway: ta siiy̓úxwa7, ta elhtách, ta leashed, ta mén̓men, kwi smén̓hem i7x̱w ta nexwníw̓ kwis chet wa tsetsiy̓áḵwustay̓ tiná7 ta temíxw, ta shḵwen̓, ta slhákw’em. |
Welcome/Guardian woman In gratitude to all our Tá7as/Grandmothers For all the teachings of our lands, History, of who we are. For all the teachings in the ways we take care of one another as: Elders, parents, brothers, sisters and cousins, our children, the future generations. For all the teachings in the ways we share the wealth of the land, the seas and the air. |
Skxwúm̓ish Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) thanks the District of West Vancouver and Ledcor Industries Limited for their support of this project. Carved by Sekwilem Siyam Sintl’ (Stan Joseph Jr.), assisted by Wesley Nahanee and William Nahanee. Restored in 2023 by Stan Joseph Jr. and Troy Baker.
