The S2S Poster Background Story

The Idea
If you live in the Sea to Sky, you know how special the drive down the highway is. Even more special, is when you have actually hiked most of them mountains you see along the way.

From West Van to Pemberton, the Sea to Sky features some very special landmarks, that I wanted to have all in one place in the form of a poster.

As a settler, and elementary school teacher on Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Land, I recognize the importance of the historical moment we are in. On my reconcilation journey as a White settler, I believe it is my job to learn the language and culture of the people whose lands I live on. What better names to learn than the original names of he mountains I consider Home?

Reaching Out
Recognizing the effects of cultural appropriation, and knowing that I would wanted to sell my posters, I didn’t want to incorporate the Squamish Language without asking permission first.

After a long search for the right people, the Squamish Nation Language and Cultural Affairs Department approved the use of their language and provided some helpful translation details and spelling corrections.

Because it is not my language and I profit from each sale, some proceeds of each sale will be given back to the Squamish Nation through an internal scholarship that helps support Squamish Nation members in learning their language.

FYI

Some mountains do not have Skxwuw7mesh snichim translations, and some do not have traditional names, as they are not significant to the Squamish Nation. Some of these mountains may have names, but we will never know them because of the devastating effects of colonisation and residential schools on Indigenous language and knowledge sharing.

Some of these names are thought provoking (Dirty place…?) and some are very interesting (Landing Place of the Thunderbird). Gaining a deeper thirst for Indigenous knowledge is exactly what this poster aims to do, and I hope it leads others to ask more questions about the land we call home and the Indigenous people we share it with.

Huy chexw’a to the creators and language speakers of SquamishAtlas.com, as well as the Squamish Nation people that have directed me to the right places. Huy chexw’a to the hard working people in the Squamish Language and Culture Department.
The capacity fee does not cover my gratitude for sharing your knowledge with me. <3

Sarah

Poinsettias are not sh*tty plants.

Alright, I found a spot where my soapbox bother too many people: a blog.
I’ve seen poinsettias my whole life, and surely, if you’re reading this, you have too.

I grew up watching my dad pot poinsettias that he bought at Christmas in his planters and tend to them lovingly, even after the holiday season.
And now my parents have a beautiful 6ft creature in their home, years later!

To most people, poinsettias in January are like hearing Christmas music in October… blegh. No, thank you. But what if we see poinsettias as we see our other tropical house plants? My philodendrons and pothos need the same kind of tropical environment, so what’s so different about a poinsettia?

It’s silly, and maybe a little stupid... but I’m pretending to start a pretend club so more people think about the strange traditions we have, and maybe steward our plants a little better. If you see a poinsettia after reading this post, give it a little leaf pat and some TLC from me.