New Zoe George exhibit at the Vancouver Maritime Museum explores the cultural importance of canoeing

by Emma Shular on April 24th, 2024 at 4:48 PM

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A local artist is morphing the past with her present in her work, and hopes to take visitors along for the journey.

Səlil ̕wətaʔɬ and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh artist Zoe George will have her work on display at the Vancouver Maritime Museum from May 11 until sometime in November. The work—titled snəxʷəł, which translates from hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ to mean “canoe”—is meant to help educate visitors on the vast history and importance of Coast Salish canoeing. George says she hopes to share some of the səlil ̕wətaʔɬ people’s cultural aspects around canoes as well.

“This project/exhibit came about from a research grant that I received. I chose to focus on canoeing because it is a huge and important part of my life,” she says in a release. “From March until September, I canoe and war canoe race anywhere from five to six days a week. My səlil ̕wətaʔɬ and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh ancestors have kept canoeing alive, and I wish to continue this on.”

Vancouver Maritime Museum’s curator ermen dellicarpini says in a release that they are excited to share George’s work “with the many communities that we welcome into the museum.”

They continue: “The VMM is honoured that we have the opportunity to share a piece of the rich, ongoing history and tradition of canoe culture and war canoe racing in səlilwət (Burrard Inlet) with our visitors.”

The exhibit will include a display of traditional canoes, paddles, and photographs, as well as a video on the importance of canoe culture.

The exhibit will be available for viewing during museum hours following its opening on May 11.