Feature Exhibit
APRIL – SEPTEMBER 2025
táywilh | snəxʷəɬ: exhibit by Zoe George
“Some say every time you put your paddle in the water to take a stroke you are paddling as one with your ancestors.”
A revitalization of Mekwalya’s (Zoe George) exhibit bringing Coast Salish Canoe Culture to the Vancouver Maritime Museum.
táywilh is the word for canoe in Sḵwx̱wú7mesh sníchim (Squamish Language). The Squamish language is spoken by Squamish communities in Squamish, West Vancouver, and North Vancouver.
snəxʷəɬ means canoe in hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓. hən̓q̓əmin̓əm is the language spoken by the Down River people of the Fraser Valley. This includes the Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh, Kwikwetlem, Tsawwassen, Katzie and Kwantlen Nations.
Learn about the exhilarating world of canoe racing, where skill and spirit have guided competitors across waters for generations. Witness the art of canoe building and explore the unique properties of cedar wood, revered for its strength and resilience. Delve into the importance of shell middens, revealing the deep connection between the land, the sea, and its people. This captivating exhibit invites you to experience the profound cultural heritage and enduring legacy of canoes in səlilwət.
Visitors will discover the beautiful history of canoeing and learn about some of the cultural traditions of the Skf̱wx̱wú7mesh and səlil ̕wətaʔɬ people.
Watch / Listen / Read / View
Additional Exhibit Content
Watch an interview with the artist, Zoe George, see how our Creative Designer and team creates a new exhibit, and listen to audio clips relating to the táywilh | snəxʷəɬ exhibit.
EXPLORE ADDITIONAL CONTENT
It is with open hearts, open minds and honesty that we can strive to honour and respect the wishes, visions, and ways of life of all Indigenous Peoples.
About the artist
m̓i ce:p kʷətxʷiləm ! ʔe:nθə Mekwalya, ʔiʔ Zoe. təniʔ cən (ʔə) ƛ̓ səl̕ilwətaʔɬ ʔiʔ Sḵwx̱wú7mesh. Welcome! My name is Zoe Juliette George, and my Sḵwxwú7mesh ancestral name is Mekwalya. I am from the səlil ̕wətaʔɬ and Sḵwxwú7mesh Nations. I am a feature artist with the canoe exhibition
táywilh | snəxʷəɬ at the Maritime Museum. We are located here within the land of Sen̓áḵw, Sḵwxwú7mesh. My ancestral name Mekwalya, was put on me by my late grandmother Juliette (Julie) Baker, Sxwelhchaliya. My grandma Julie has raised my mother and our family to be proud of our Sḵwxwú7mesh heritage and family legacies. I am happy to work here within the territory of Sḵwxwú7mesh.
I began paddling when I was 13 years old with the Burrard Canoe Club in my other home community səlilwətaʔɬ. I am now 24 years old and have been paddling with the other səl̕ilwətaʔɬ canoe team the Salish Serpent Canoe Club.
This exhibit came about from an Indigenous Internship Program at Clear Seas. This program is for Indigenous post secondary students. Now being in my 3rd year at UBC in the Bachelor of Arts, First Nations and Indigenous Studies program. Sarah Thomas from səlil̕wətaʔɬ and Justin Perry guided me through the Research Project that lead to the first exhibition ‘snəxʷəɬ’ at WildBirdTrust. Mike Billy Sr and Mike Billy Jr. and Corey Lewis all helped me move a dugout canoe to my first exhibition. After which Mike Sr. pointed the Maritime Museum in my direction. This is how I ended up with a feature artist exhibition here.
The project itself is rooted in the voices and teachings of səlil̕wətaʔɬI elders who inspire me endlessly. We as a team uphold the teachings of the winners and paddlers who came before us from səlil̕wətaʔɬ. I believe canoeing is more than just a sport but way of life that sustains and uplifts Indigenous communities everywhere. My səlil̕wətaʔɬ and Sḵwxwú7mesh ancestors have kept canoeing alive and I wish to continue this on. I want people to come to this exhibit and understand the importance and presence canoe culture has in First Nations communities across the Lower Mainland. It is an honour to work with and learn from everyone who helped with putting up this exhibition and project. I am extremely grateful for all of the help from the ones who have generously been part of táywilh | snəxʷəɬ.
