Mural and Exhibit Opening, May 2025

Mural Unveiling and Exhibit Opening Honoring Indigenous History on Xwe’etay/Lasqueti Island, May 3, 2025

On May 3, people from Xwe’etay/Lasqueti Island, Qualicum Nation, Tla’amin, Powell River, the Islands Trust, and more gathered to witness the unveiling of a spectacular public art installation honoring Indigenous heritage on Xwe’etay. The installation includes a stunning mural depicting the many 1000s of years of settlement on Xwe’etay and the ancestral connections among all beings. The mural was painted by local artists Julia Woldmo and Sophia Rosenberg, and the central sun and side panels depicting kelp and eyes, were carved by Qualicum artist Jesse Recalma. Check out the time lapse of the mural creation on YouTube.

Oglilogwa Kim Recalma-Clutesi (Qualicum Nation) addressing the crowd at the mural opening on the dock.

Oglilogwa Kim Recalma-Clutesi, Tla’amin Elder and ʔayʔajuθəm language expert Betty Wilson, Tla’amin Councillor Dillon Johnson, blessing the mural installation.

The mural is accompanied by a yellow cedar plaque with a representation of Xwe’etay creation story created by Jesse and Ocean Hyland (Tsleil-Waututh Nation). It features the yew tree and the mythical deer and rodent. Alongside the plaque is an audio system where you can press a button and hear Elsie Paul saying the island’s Indigenous name.

XLAP co-lead, Sean Markey, standing in front of the engraved redcedar plaque that celebrates Xwe’etay's Coast Salish origin story and welcomes people to Indigenous lands.  The image was created by Coast Salish arver Xwulqsheynum Jesse Recalma and graphic artist hḵwen̓/ ts;simtelot Ocean Hyland. To Sean's left is the audio button to press to listen to the name Xwe’etay spoken by Tla’amin Elder qaʔaχstaləs / Dr. Elsie Paul. (photo: Dana Lepofsky).

The mural installation is on the freight shed on the Xwe’etay dock. It is vividly visible from the water and can be seen by all approaching the island. It is a strong and joyful statement about Indigenous presence – in the past, present, and future.

In addition to the mural, May 3 marked the opening of the travelling exhibit on the Xwe’etay/Lasqueti Archaeology Project (XLAP). The exhibit panels depict the community-centered archaeology project and honors the ancestral and current connections to Xwe’etay by Indigenous Peoples. It includes spectacular photos of community members including Drew Blaney and Betty Wilson! The exhibit has been up at the Ingenium Museum in Ottawa for over a year and the museum graciously created a travelling version so that it can easily be viewed by people in small communities up and down the coast. It  was shown at the Powell River Museum in Fall 2025, and is not at VIU in Powell River, before it goes to the Qualicum Museum.

Drummers and singers from Tla’amin and Qualicum Nation at the feast.  Note exhibit panels behind the drummers.

The May 3^rd gathering was truly a celebration! Almost 200 people from diverse communities (Islands Trust, Powell River council, students of XLAP, friends, and family) came to witness the event. Kim Recalma-Clutesi of Qualicum Nation blessed us and the mural and plaque with eagle down. Our Tla’amin guests drummed and sang for us. We feasted on beautiful food put together by the island community. At a time in the world when things sometimes feel so oppressively hard, the May 3 event reminded us of what can happen when people come together to honor and respect each other.  Check out the article about the event in the Powell River Peak and the Times Colonis.