The Whistler Blackcomb Foundation and Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre Join To Create Whistler Alpine Welcome Figure

Whistler, BC - On June 24th at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre(SLCC) in Whistler, master carver Xwalacktun (Rick Harry) will commence the carving of a Salish Welcome Figure to be placed in near Peak 2 Peak Gondola Station as a continuation of Cultural Journey Sea to Sky up Whistler Mountain. The carving is a joint effort by the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation and the SLCC to increase the profile of Aboriginal Tourism in the region.

Guests, community members and staff are welcome to visit the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre in Whistler’s Upper Village to meet the carver, assist him in his carving and take some of shavings as mementos from their experience. The welcome figure is expected to be placed in the Whistler Alpine in August, 2010.

Xwalacktun (Rick Harry) is a renowned Squamish Nation carver. He has been an influential figure to many of the younger carvers and youth of the both the Squamish and Lil’wat Nations. His carving will be a traditional Salish Welcome Figure of a man with hands held open while also incorporating some of the key elements of Whistler Blackcomb. Xwalacktun said “I enjoy the opportunity to meet people as I carve and look forward their participation and questions about my work”.

"The Whistler Blackcomb Foundation is very excited to provide a grant that will help support the Cultural Journey hosted by the Squamish and Lil'wat Nations," says Dave Brownlie, President of the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation. "A prominent spot for the completed Welcome Figure on Whistler Mountain will culminate the Cultural Journey. The structure will also provide an additional avenue for guests to learn more about the great significance and contributions of the Squamish and Lil'wat people in this region.”

The welcome figure carving will commence and be traditionally blessed at 1:00pm on Thursday June 24, 2010 at part of the Cultural Journey Sea to Sky Launch Celebration. The new Highway 99 sign kiosks, gateway rock signs and aluminum guide signs are also part of the initiative known as Cultural Journey Sea to Sky hosted by the Squamish and Lil’wat First Nations and coordinated by the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre in Whistler, BC.