Near the spot where First Nations once beached their canoes will soon sit a Legacy Project Canoe Restoration Shed. Prefabrication of a traditional-looking Coast Salish canoe storage shed is currently underway for the waterfront in downtown Squamish.
The timber frame, cedar-roof canoe storage shed will eventually house Squamish Nation warrior (racing) canoes, according to the district.
The building will be located across from the summer Farmers’ Market location along Loggers Lane, which is in the waterfront area accessible from Victoria Street.
Like much of downtown Squamish, the area was once a Squamish Nation village and reserve. It lost reserve status through government action around 1910, according to Chris Lewis, Squamish Nation spokesperson.
“There is also cultural names of significance and place names that loosely translate the location of the proposed canoe shed to where we put canoes in the water or take canoes out of the water, hence the support for this canoe-type shed building,” Lewis said.
The structure, which is part of the Squamish Legacy Project, will not only showcase the warrior canoes, but could also be used as a work site to restore Squamish Nation canoes, or to build new items, according to the district.
One side of the building will be open to allow in natural light, and so people can view the canoes.
Lewis said it is hoped there will be storytelling boards that tell of the Squamish Nation’s connections to the site, the water, seagoing society and canoes.
“The Nation’s goal is to always have our story told in terms of information boards and kiosks,” Lewis said, adding that the Nation is still in the early phases of discussion with the district about how to move forward and tell the story.
The shed will be a temporary structure that will be built so that it can be moved if the site is to be used for something else in the future, a district spokesperson said.
The prefabrication of the structure is underway and site preparation will begin shortly, according to a district spokesperson. The main construction on the site will likely begin in May.
Squamish Nation representatives are currently working on a plan for the canoes.
The project is a collaboration between the Downtown Squamish Business Improvement Association, the district and the Squamish Nation. “The Downtown BIA is looking forward to seeing the project evolve along our waterfront,” said Bianca Peters, executive director of the association.
The display will be officially opened during the Squamish Wind Festival in July, according to Peters.
The project costs $100,000 with $50,000 provided by a Heritage Canada Grant, according to district staff.
