Snuneymuxw knowledge, stories, and language come from this land and have existed for thousands of years. Eliot’s artwork, which is inspired by teachings from his late great-grandmother, Dr. Ellen White, Kwulasulwut, and other mentors, brings forward knowledge, stories, and language, so that we can all learn about and appreciate the rich history and aliveness of this territory, and come to understand our place in the world and our relationships to each other in a new way.
Download the Booklet
To accompany the artwork and make it widely accessible, the project includes a free take-away booklet, available at the pool, which features White-Hill’s version of the Snuneymuxw stories his murals are based on, written especially for a young audience. The stories, including Origin of the K̓wal̓uxw (Dog Salmon) Run, and Story of the Q̓ullhánumucun (Killer Whale) Transformation, are accompanied by colouring pages based on the artwork. QR codes on interpretive signs at the pool and in the booklet link to audio recordings of White-Hill telling the stories and pronouncing the Hul’q’umi’num names of the beings in the artwork.
There are four key areas of the artwork at the pool:
Q̓ullhánumucun (Killer Whale) Transformation
The paintings on the four concrete pillars tell a story of transformation. Eliot tells this story as it was passed down by his late great-grandmother, Dr. Ellen White, Kwulasulwut. She spoke about how a group of children from the Snuneymuxw community transformed themselves into a Q̓ullhánumucun (kull-ha-nuh-mutt-sun – killer whale). This story carries with it teachings about the importance of educating youth and what can happen if adults fail to do so. The pose shown in this design refers to the traditional Coast Salish way to express gratitude, by holding your hands up in front of you, palms facing inward.
Listen to the story
K̓wal̓uxw (Dog Salmon) Run
The mural that wraps around the wall by the waterslide is inspired by the K̓wal̓uxw (kwah-luh-H – dog salmon) run. The Dog Salmon and the Snuneymuxw have a sacred connection. In one version of the origin story of the Dog Salmon run on the Nanaimo River, it is told that a Snuneymuxw ancestor married into the Dog Salmon people. That relationship is the cause of the salmon run. The use of the number four in the pattern of this design is important, and refers to Coast Salish protocol. Four is a sacred number and things are done in fours.
Listen to the story
Beings of the Estuary Mural
This mural reflects the life that exists in the Nanaimo River Estuary, especially the eelgrass ecosystem and annual herring run. Many beings, including humans, rely upon the Estuary and have done so for thousands of years. These seven
beings
are depicted with their names in Hul'q'umi'num'.
Lhuq̓us (l-huck-us) eelgrass
Musuqw (muh-suck) crab
P̓uwi̕ (puh-wee) flounder
Shes (sheh-ss) sea lion
Slhewut̓ (ss-l-hay-what) herring
St̓ul̓xwut̓h (stuhl-H-wuh-th) octopus
Tumulqh (tum-uh-l-kl-h) star fish
Beings of the Estuary Banners
The banners above the pool honour the beings of the Estuary, who exist in the water, on the land, and in the sky. All of the realms are interconnected. The Estuary is a gathering place of the elements, energies, beings, and people. These beings are helpers in many
different ways.
Sq̓e:t̓l (sk-eh-kl) river otter
Qumut (kuh-mutt) hooded merganser duck
Slhewut̓ (ss-l-hay-what) herring
S̓kwlhey̓ (sk-wuhl-hey) littleneck clams
Yux̆wule̓ (yuh-H-wul-leh) bald eagle
K̓wal̓uxw (kwah-luh-H) dog salmon
Smuq̓wa̕ (smuh-kwah) heron
Eliot White-Hill is a Coast Salish artist who comes from the White family of Snuneymuxw, the Rice family of
Penelakut and with roots in the Nuu-Chah-Nulth world through the Hamilton
family of Hupacasath from whom he carries the name
Kwaayas. He is a graduate of Vancouver Island University,
and is a storyteller, published author and artist.
Credits
For this project, White-Hill consulted with the Snuneymuxw Elders Advisory Council, with Hul’q’umi’num’ language teacher Elder Gary Manson, Elder William White, and Joan Brown. A team was convened to support White-Hill,
including Nanaimo Art Gallery curator Jesse Birch, designer Cory Landels, and painters Jesse Campbell and Becky Thiessen.