Living in Vancouver, I’ve always been intrigued by Indigenous art. It is everywhere. These beautiful sculptures, woodwork, and murals are all across the city and they really stand out.
Totem poles are one of the many forms of Indigenous art that you will likely see if you drive through Vancouver to Brockton Point. There is a lovely display of First Nations totem poles in the eastern corner of Stanley Park just 10-15 minutes from downtown Van. A totem pole is a monumental carving for Indigenous peoples that represent stories, or history in their culture.
Another place you’ll notice a beautiful indigenous sculpture is right out front of the Vancouver Aquarium. This piece of art is called the Haida Killer Whale, Chief of the Undersea World. This sculpture is an example of Vancouver’s Native art at its finest.
The time, energy, and creativity that gets put into wooden carvings and painting for Indigenous art pieces are incredible. The beauty and design of murals across the city are eye-catching. Wooden masks are carved and made for costumes for Native gatherings called pow-wows. In this culture, art is more than just a visual. It is a way to tell stories, show history, communicate, and understand each other.
In Vancouver, there are a few popular Aboriginal art galleries where you can view or purchase Indigenous arts and crafts. Here I am going to list a few:
- Hill’s Native Art
- Inuit Gallery of Vancouver
- Lattimer Gallery
- Skwachay’s Lodge Urban Aboriginal Art Gallery
I believe that taking the time to learn and understand the importance of art in Native culture, is essential for living in Vancouver. The population of Indigenous people in Vancouver and BC is over 200,000 and therefore I believe being able to understand the meaning of why we see their art across our nation is necessary.