Tsútswecw

Tsútswecw Landmark Artist Statement (Shayne D. Hunt, David Jacob Harder)
This artwork reflects the salmon’s cyclical life cycle and Secwépemc connection to this place. The late Secwépemc carver Jules Arnouse and sculptor David Jacob Harder cultivated the concept of the work through listening to experiences from the Elders Advisory Committee and through their visits to this place.

After Jules’ passing in spring 2024, his concept sketch, drawn on a napkin, of an eagle catching a salmon became the foundation of the wood sculpture design by Secwépemc carver Shayne D. Hunt. Shayne’s skillful artistry allowed his interpretation to reflect Jules’ original intent, honouring and respecting Secwépemc history in these meaningful places. Shayne and David completed the piece in fall 2024.

Tsútswecw Landmark Interpretive Signage Illustration Artist Statement (Ashley Michel)
The illustrations I've created for the interpretive signage at these sacred Secwépemc places tell a story based on the traditional knowledge and lived experiences of our elders, intertwined in our history, with a modern twist.

About Tsútswecw
R skwest.s r Tsutswéc ri7 stse7met.ste “cw7it t'e k'woy'í7ese t'e tswec.”

R sqeleltn7úw'i knúcwes xwexwéyt r tsyem ne Secwepemcúl'ecw ell r qelmucwúw'i t'e tsyem ne sxwexweyúl'ecws t'e Fraser Setétkwe ell r Secwepemcétkwe t'e stcwelltiyénecwu t'e sq'7est.s.

R sqleltn7úw'i ri7 r xexé7 t'e tse7meksélt ne qelmúcw. R sqeleltn7úw'i lleq'metéls stém'i e tsúwet-kt ne tmicw, e secqweqwenellts'-kt, e syecwemínte r tsreprép, r mesmescén', r spipyúy' ell xwexwéyt r tmicw ne Secwepemcúl'ecw. Yúmell e qwelépes, m-metés r qelmúcw ell m-metés r tmicw e sknúcwetels.

Lleq'metem t'e stet'ex7ém xwexwéyt r stsmémelt xwexwéyt ri7 k' wseltktn-kt, xwexwéyt t'e stem r stsken, ne tmicw, r qelmúcw, r mescén', r skwen'llq, xwexwéyt t'e wúmec t'e stem. Xwexwéyt r stsmémelt xqe7wéns r stem te sts'exstés r stet'exéms ell e sqeqenímes r cw7it t'e slexlexéy'e. R stsmemélt xqe7wen's r sqleltn e ts'exstéses r stet'exéms t'e q'ite ell e sqweqwetsíns e
skwe7wén's r sqleltnúw'i ell xwexwéyt t'e stem r tsúwet.s ne sqleltn. R tsúwet.s r Secwépemc tsken ne séwllkwe, sk'wen'llq, mesmescén' ell ne k'wellqelmúcws. R stet'exém lleq'metés r stsmemélt e syecwemíns xwexwéyt r stem ne tmicw ell r tmicw me7 yecwemíntels tikwumíte7.

English Translation:

Tsútswecw means “many creeks” in Secwepemctsín.

Sockeye salmon sustained Secwepemcúl'ecw and neighbouring Indigenous Nations throughout the Fraser River system for thousands of years. They are one of our greatest teachers: They teach us our culture, to prepare, to be humble, and to be generous to the trees, animals, birds, and land throughout Secwepemcúl'ecw, which they give their lives to feed and fertilize.

Core Secwépemc values such as k'wseltktnews (we are all related), foundational to Secwépemc stewardship systems, are taught to younger generations through stseptékwle (oral histories), the First Salmon Ceremony, and learning from grandparents during salmon harvests. These values are responsive to dynamic ecosystem interactions between the water, plants, animals, and humans, and convey knowledge, practices, and responsibilities to younger generations to maintain balance with the earth and all living things.