A Cross-Border Exploration of Indigenous Canoe-Making with Dr. Shawn Brigman and Keith Point

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Canoes have been an essential vessel for water navigation and cultural form in multiple Indigenous communities across Turtle Island since time immemorial. Different topographies, resources, and knowledge systems have given rise to distinct canoe forms and construction methods in different cultural regions. Since the demarcation of the Canada–U.S. border more than 150 years ago, the insatiable settler-colonial appetite for natural resources has disrupted waterways and the vital role they play in Indigenous lifeways, cultural practices, and spiritual wellness.

In this workshop, Plateau artist, knowledge keeper, and founder of SALISHAN STURGEON NOSE CANOES, Dr. Shawn Brigman (Spokane Tribe of Indians), based in Spokane, WA, has for over a decade been dedicated to reviving, interpreting, and expanding upon the sturgeon-nose canoe form traditional to his snʕáyckst (Sinixt), ql̓ispé (Kalispel), and Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc (Shuswap) ancestors, as well as safeguarding this knowledge against cultural appropriation and educating audiences about the significance of Indigenous knowledge sovereignty. Keith Point (Skowkale First Nation), based in on Stó:lō Téméxw, in the Lower Mainland of BC is a canoe-maker and canoe racing coach who inherited his love of carving Coast Salish-style dugout canoes from his father, Mark Point. Brigman and Point are long-time participants in community canoe journeys across their respective ancestral territories and beyond.

Presented in conjunction with our special exhibition Parallax(e): Perspectives on the Canada–U.S. Border / Perspectives sur la frontière Canada–É.-U., on view until January 10, 2026.

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The Reach Gallery Museum

The Reach Gallery Museum is the cultural heart of the Fraser Valley. As the center of cultural and creative innovation in the Fraser Valley, we are committed to preserving and sharing the stories of our rich and diverse cultural heritage and showcasing the best in the visual arts from both inside and outside our community.

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