St'at'imc Nation Arbors

A Gathering Place for the St'at'imc Nations

Background

Our host for this Community Building Project was the St'at'imc (Stat-lee-um) Nation, whose traditional territory encompasses Whistler, Pemberton, and Lillooet in British Columbia, Canada. The arbor is located on Kwetsa7 on Lil'wat land. The Lil’wat People, known in their language as Lil’wat7úl. The Lil’wat Nation have been stewards of the land since time immemorial. The impressive Mount Currie, traditionally known in the Lil’wat language, Ucwalmícwts, as T'szil, is the most prominent mountain in the valley.

Vision: To observe self, connect to culture, and unite communities for this and future generations across all walks of life.

Mission: To host authentic homecoming powwows for all that are grounded in protocol, culture, respect, humility, and knowledge-sharing by celebrating the natural medicines of dancing, drumming, singing, and ceremony. 

Imagine 5,000 people gathered in an enormous circular timber frame arbor at the foot of Ts'zil - the mountain formerly known as Mount Currie - on a warm Pemberton Valley summer evening, cheering on Indigenous dancers from across North America. The arbor will be used by all eleven St'at'imc Nations. 

In August 2024,the St'at'imc Northern Tribe Powwow Society (SNTPS) plans to make this vision a reality, hosting the first of what will be major annual powwows featuring the best Indigenous cultural performers living on Turtle Island. In addition to providing space for powwows, the arbor and its infrastructure will be a permanent, year-round facility used for ceremonies and the cultural and intergenerational sharing that is critical to the long-term success of Indigenous culture. 

This enormous structure is designed for use by all eleven St'at'imc Nations. This cultural center will allow for the hosting of outdoor events with up to 5,000 guests during the months of May to October. Some of the cultural events will be Gatherings, Traditional Weddings, Funerals, Traditional and Competitive Powwows, and more.

The structure consists of 16 small separate timber frames with round log posts and rafters, arranged in a 200-foot diameter circle to form the arbor. Fabric shade sails will be suspended between each of the timber frames.