Secwepemcúl’ecw, home of the Secwépemc people, is now home to two new Landmark sculptures.
Continuing a 16-sculpture project begun with Secwépemc Elders five years ago, an impressive carving was unveiled earlier this summer at Tsútswecw Provincial Park, home of the famed sockeye salmon run up the Adams River.
The other, the Cpeqétkwe Landmark, was later unveiled in White Lake Community Park. Cpeqétkwe means ‘white water,’ which refers to white sediment in the lake.
The Tsutswecw Park sculpture was born from a sketch on a napkin made by carver Jules Arnouse. Created from cedar, it features an eagle as it catches a spawning salmon in its claws. Fittingly, the carving overlooks the river, the spawning ground for sockeye for thousands of years.
Jules Arnouse passed away in 2024, but highly skilled Secwépemc carver Shayne D. Hunt and sculptor David Jacob Harder listened to experiences of the Landmark Elders Advisory Committee to help bring his concept to life.
When guests gathered for the unveiling ceremony, Elder Wilfred Tomma gave the opening prayer. He spoke of his friendship with and admiration for Jules Arnouse, his knowledge and wisdom.
He also asked the Creator to help open up the minds of the Secwépemc people “to recognize who we really are. People of this land, people of these valleys and people of the waters and the ground that they see around us.”
Speakers noted the sculptures honour and respect Secwépemc history and connections to the meaningful places where they’re located.
At White Lake, an equally beautiful but very different landmark was revealed during ceremonial drumming and singing. A large metal sphere, it features silhouettes of wildlife such as loons, eagles and a turtle, which are especially visible when a fire is built inside.
Project lead Shelley Witzky pointed out it is to be used for ceremonial purposes only.
The sculpture was designed by Secwépemc lead artist Tania Willard and supporting artist Kel-C Jules. Willard said she visited the site with elders before beginning; they shared their stories of place and connection to land. She noted she is honoured to be a part of the project, and spoke of her goal.
“That they (landmarks) become part of our Secwépemc community, part of your community, so that together we value the land that we’re on, we value Secwépemc traditions and knowledge, the animals and plants and birds and fish – all of the ecologies around us…”
Accompanying the landmarks is signage which includes oral histories shared by the Elders committee.
The committee includes Elders from Skwl膩x te Secwepemcúl’ecw (formerly Little Shuswap), Cstélen (Adams Lake), Neskonlith and Splatsín. Ashely Michel from Tk’emlúps created beautiful illustrations to accompany the oral histories.
The Secwépemc Landmarks project team also acknowledged the contributions of the Cstélnec Edit Committee through Chief Atahm School for their important language work on the signage for the project.
