Shq’apthut – Gathering Place arch stands as a remarkable Coast Salish welcome sculpture. Serving as a prominent piece of public art, its purpose is deeply rooted in facilitating reconciliation and celebrating the enduring heritage of the Coast Salish peoples. Through its presence, the arch symbolically acts to reclaim and honour Indigenous cultural history, acknowledging thousands of years of tradition and wisdom.
The sculpture is composed of precision machine cut galvanized steel panels, which are sheathed in durable acrylic glass. During nighttime hours, internal LED lights illuminate the arch, casting vibrant colours that shift and change, enhancing its visual impact and significance.
The side panels of the arch incorporate meaningful Coast Salish imagery. A great blue heron, known as the coastal sentinel, is depicted alongside salmon heads, which represent balance within the natural world. Centrally positioned between the salmon heads is an egg of undetermined sex, further reinforcing the theme of societal balance. Atop the arch, two panels are adorned with images of a male and female eagle, powerful symbols of peace and unity among peoples.
