A large aluminum public art installation recognizing the səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) now stands on a North Shore bus loop.
On the southeast corner of North Vancouver’s Phibbs Exchange is Tsleil-Waututh Nation artist Jordan Gallie’s work Perception and Integrity, highlighting the sky and land, but also the strength the nation carries.
“It was just another great opportunity to showcase the arts of the Coast Salish people,” Gallie said. “And to have it on traditional unceded territory is another great feeling to have.”
Gallie’s work was installed at the transit hub Oct. 9. The piece features an eagle, representing Coast Salish ancestors looking down as a guide, and a wolf, symbolizing Tsleil-Waututh people that walk on the Earth now. The piece has a “cut out look” with a copper colour finish to give an earthy tone, he said.
Perception and Integrity is now one of the 14 Indigenous artworks displayed throughout TransLink’s system in the Lower Mainland.
Gallie heard a call for artists to have their work featured at the transit hub eight months ago and was full of gratitude when he was selected by the Tsleil-Waututh Nation.
After he was picked, he told his vision to Knight Signs, a Vancouver-based sign business, as he already had connections with the company, and helped make his design a reality at the bus loop.
The Ministry of Transportation and Transit worked with Gallie on technical aspects of the artwork to ensure safety and maintenance requirements were met, they said in a statement.
The province co-ordinated with local Indigenous communities to ensure Phibbs Exchange would have artwork that reflects their rich history. In 2020, the province began discussions on including cultural artwork on transportation.
Gallie’s inspiration to create art sparked at only nine years old after seeing First Nations artwork displayed at the Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver.
He attended the Native Education College in 2012, where he took a jewelry and fine arts program. Gallie hustled and put his name out there for making jewelry and prints.
The artist’s work has been shown at the Bill Reid Gallery, and he has worked with organizations across B.C. such as the City of Vancouver, Fraser Health, TransLink and more.
Gallie’s art carries a deep meaning to him, as it hasn’t always been easy to get to where he is now. His main goal is to inspire future generations just like how he was inspired at a young age.
“Anything you put your mind to, you can achieve it,” Gallie said.
Gallie hopes people will look at his piece at the transit hub to understand the history, but also from an equality lens.
“No matter where you are, who you are, what walk of life you are, we’re all equal,” Gallie said. “We’re here for a purpose, whichever that may be.”
People can view Gallie’s work on TransLink’s Public Art Map or in person.
Abby Luciano is the Indigenous and civic affairs reporter for the North Shore News. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative. [email protected]
