Signs of Lekwungen - Site Outside Victoria City Hall

This sculpture is one of seven in the Signs of Lekwungen series. 

The Signs of Lekwungen consists of seven unique larger-than-life spindle whorl sculptures. Each is a site marker, creating an interpretive walkway along the Inner Harbour and surrounding areas that honours the art, history and culture of the Coast Salish people who have resided in the Victoria area for hundreds of years.

All seven sculptures were carved from a piece of cedar, then cast in bronze and assembled. Spindle whorls were traditionally used by Coast Salish women to spin wool, and were considered the foundation of a Coast Salish family. 

Significance of the Site Outside Victoria City Hall: skwu-tsu-KNEE-lth-ch translates literally to "bitter cherry tree." Here, willow-lined, berry-rich creeks and meadows meandered down to the ocean, and paths made by bark harvesters bordered the waterways. The imprints of these creeks can still be seen in the uneven ground of the Market Square area. This was a creek bed that led back to the food gathering areas now contained by Fort, View, Vancouver and Quadra Streets. Bark from the bitter cherry was used to make a variety of household objects. 

View the Signs of Lekwungen brochure to learn more