Sxwetsméllp

The Sxwetsméllp Landmark was created by Secwépemc artists Rod Tomma and Tilkotmes Tomma and settler artist Eric Kutschker. The rose granite sculpture represents Coyote rock formations created by Sek'lép, Sk'lap, or Senxúxwlecw (Coyote) throughout Secwepemcúl'ecw. The metal sculpture highlights oral histories shared by the Secwépemc Landmarks Elders Advisory Group, representing the salmon, whitefish and sxúsem berry as important traditional food sources for Secwepemc people. The flow of images are set among the surrounding mountains’ silhouettes, and lead to the birch tree with its distinctive bark pattern.

Sxwetsméllp stems from the verb "xwítses: To cut (grass)”, referring to the cutting of tule grass for mats. This place name refers to the area around the confluence of the Salmon River and Shuswap Lake. Sxúse or sxúsa (soopolallie berries), t'nís (highbush cranberries), tule, and many other plants are cultivated by Secwépemc families here. Fishing weirs were also built along the Salmon River for selectively harvesting salmon and taking only what was needed; leaving the rest to continue their journey.

The establishment of the Indian Reserve system, and laws restricting Secwépemc people from leaving reserves or accessing culturally significant foods, fractured many relationships between Secwépemc communities, families, and their lands and waters. Diversions to the Salmon River for agriculture, railroads, and other developments altered the ecology of the Salmon River Delta, and impacts habitat availability for many culturally significant plants and salmon, who are considered to be relatives of the Secwépemc. The place name Sxwetsméllp teaches about this landscape change and restoration, as well as the continued importance of this place to past, present, and future generations of Secwépemc people and the many plants, animals, and fish who share this landscape.

This sculpture location has been blessed by Secwépemc Elders. It is passed down in Secwépemc oral tradition that the land is to be respected and is sacred. Oral tradition teaches one to ask for permission to walk in places on the land, and to act respectfully towards plant and animal relatives while you are there. Please act with caution and respect around these monuments and grandmother/grandfather rocks.

Note: The Cste?lnec, Splatsi?nac, Sk?etsinec, and Skwla?x te Secwe?pemc people are part of the larger Secwe?pemc Nation and therefore have rights and responsibilities to the cultural knowledges and symbols included in this project. Any Intellectual Property Rights associated with these Secwe?pemc cultural knowledges and symbols inherently belong to the Secwe?pemc people and cannot be copied or adapted without permission. In addition, no photographs, images, or art portraying the sculptures themselves should be used for commercial purposes without permission