Musqueam Foreshore


Serigraph: Ink on Paper

32’’ X 12.5’’

Artist/Curatorial Statement

The Musqueam people have lived in the present location for thousands of years. This traditional territory once occupied much of what is now Vancouver and surrounding areas.

The name Musqueam relates to the River Grass whose name is məθkʷəy. A story passed on from generation to generation explains that when the məθkʷəy̓ grass flourished so did the Musqueam people and that when  it could scarcely be found the population would dwindle. The people of the area became known  as the xʷməθkʷəyəm (Musqueam) - People of the River Grass.

The Musqueam people are traditional hənqəminəm speaking people and descend from the cultural group known as the Coast Salish. Although a metropolitan city has developed in the heart of Musqueam territory, this strong community of over a thousand members maintains strong cultural and traditional beliefs.

The Musqueam Indian Reserve is located in the West end of Vancouver near the mouth of the Fraser River.

Christiane Smyth

Display(s): Places of British Columbia