Welcome Figure

The placement of this welcome figure acknowledges the long history of the Musqueam people on this land. In older Salish pieces, the u-shaped channel above the head of this figure would have supported the end of a roof beam. This figure was commissioned by the Royal Bank Financial Group, in consultation with Musqueam, to mark its 100th anniversary of banking in British Columbia. It was inspired by a nineteenth century prototype which once stood on the Musqueam reserve.

Carved from September 1996-February 1997. This post, which is a copy of an older post that once stood at Musqueam, depicts a man holding a fisher to his chest. Wayne Suttles attributes the presence of animals on posts as representing a cleansing rite. He notes that: "recent informants have identified these animals as some kind of mustelid (member of the weasel family) - minks, otters, or fishers. Early collectors recorded a name for them "scowmidgeon" or "sqa-mit-chen", which must represent the Halkomelem sxwemecen, "fisher" (1987:126)." He goes on to note that he has heard of several cleansing rites which use stuffed animals.

contemporary art; supernatural power

The three smaller domed forms on the disc fronting the "U" shape represent the stars and the larger one in the centre represents the moon. The figure is holding a small fur-bearing animal known as a fisher. While the meanings and experiences associated with this animal are private, Susan Point explained that this animal has the power to do both good and bad. Her intention here is to show the positive power of the fisher. The circular design at the bottom of the figure represents an owl. A pair of hands, showing a welcoming gesture, has also been included at the bottom.

Central male figure (mainly unpainted) holding a black fisher against chest. Eyes and eyebrows are black, mouth is red. Base section has circular carved image of two birds beak to beak, in turquoise on a black background and outlined in red. Section above figure is mainly black with one large and three small copper discs (representing moon and stars) on front of large black 'U' shaped support.