CHÉNCHENSTWAY - TO SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER
We worked with an elementary school in Burnaby to teach students about Coast Salish Design. The work consisted of two days of workshops and a mural. This mural was painted on the interior library wall of Ecole Westridge Elementary School.
Depicted in the mural are 3 significant animals that are stacked on top of one another reminiscent of the form of a traditional house post. House posts were used to hold up the ceilings of Coast Salish plank houses / long houses. A house post would be carved in such a way to tell a story or to show family lineage through the crests that they carry.
Chénchenstway
The word Chénchenstway is a Squamish term meaning "to support one another." In this house post design, each animal symbolizes a distinct aspect of the self: mind, body, and spirit. Together, these elements form a complete human being, representing the balance we need to maintain for strength and well-being. The house post here serves as a metaphor for the individual. When we keep these aspects balanced, we become the healthiest versions of ourselves. Just as many houseposts create a longhouse, many individuals can foster a community that nurtures and sustains everyone.
Significance of the Animals
In Coast Salish culture we look to the other peoples of this planet for guidance. The two legged people, four legged people, water people, and plant people. In this work we have all peoples represented through: The eagle, the bobcat, the orca, and the cedar trees in the distance. Each of these entities have meaning, and represent different values.
Bobcat - Sp’elách’em - Body
In this work the Bobcat represents Ecole Westridge. The body being the student body and the staff. A representation of the physical and material. The bobcat is known for its inner strength. Spending most of its days in solitude it must rely on its own resolve in order to survive. The bobcat represents the principle of taking only what is needed from the earth, honoring the interconnectedness of all living things, and living in balance with the natural rhythms of the world.
Orca - Yewyews - Spirit
The orca embodies the essence of community, representing the strength and unity of a collective group. It reflects the spirit necessary for individuals to thrive as a cohesive unit, where each member contributes to the whole. Their social bonds are central to their survival and success, emphasizing the power of togetherness and shared purpose. In West Coast cultures, orcas are also seen as ancestors reborn, carrying the wisdom and spirit of those who came before. This connection highlights the orca's role as both a symbol of community and a link to heritage and continuity across generations.
Eagle - Sp’akw’us - Mind
The eagle is revered as a healer and a connection between the physical and spiritual worlds. With its ability to soar higher than any other creature, it is seen as closest to the creator, carrying divine knowledge. From its great heights, the eagle watches over everything below, embodying wisdom and protection from above.
Crest Making Workshop
