“Whose road?” Those were the words of Louise, a young girl living in Xwayxway, as she confronted the surveyors who were about to reshape her world. Xwayxway, nestled here in what is now Stanley Park, was once a vibrant village, echoing with the laughter of the Squamish, Musqueam, and Tsleil-waututh peoples for over 3,000 years. Imagine their lives here, sustained by the bountiful waters of Burrard Inlet and the shelter of these towering trees. Xwayxway, meaning “masked dance performance,” speaks to the rich cultural tapestry of this place. Can you almost hear the rhythmic drumming and the chants of the ceremonies? One can only imagine the grandeur of the potlatch held here in 1875, a testament to the enduring spirit of the people. However, the arrival of European colonists brought about a tragic shift. As Vancouver grew, the presence of Xwayxway and its people was deemed an obstacle. By the late 1800s, the largest settlement in Stanley Park was systematically dismantled, its very soil repurposed for the construction of Park Drive. And so, Xwayxway, once a thriving symbol of Indigenous life, faded into the landscape, leaving behind a poignant silence. Yet, even in its absence, the spirit of Xwayxway endures, a reminder of the deep history and resilience embedded within this land.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to