Learning through art: BCLC collaborates with Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc on c7ístkten̓ presentation room

When employees and visitors enter BCLC’s refurbished presentation room—c7ístkten̓—they’ll quickly notice a bright and vibrant vinyl art installation. The historically accurate artwork is a culmination of the work of several members of the Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc and other Bands within Secwepemcúl̓ecw, including traditional knowledge keepers, who shared insight with Indigenous artist Laura Saul.

Saul’s design depicts a Secwépemc c7ístkten̓ (winter home).  A c7ístkten̓ could accommodate 15 to 30 people during the winter months—making it a fitting art piece for a large meeting space where employees and visitors to BCLC will gather and collaborate.

The art is an integral piece of the recently completed renovation of the room, explains Alan Kerr, chief financial officer at BCLC. 

“When we started looking at updating the room’s technology to accommodate our new hybrid working environment, we immediately identified the need to incorporate design elements to help increase useability,” said Kerr, chief financial officer. “We also felt there was an opportunity to be more intentional with the space and to incorporate and recognize Indigenous history and culture.” 

“What I loved about this art project is that it was not just me,” Saul said. “I consulted with traditional knowledge keepers and an advisory group. I was able to apply their knowledge to the piece to help bring it to life.” 

Her process involved several steps: from a pencil sketch to a digital scan, to an acrylic painting. The finished design was then rendered and transformed into a digital wallpaper by Lyle Paul, Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc re Xtsep re Stselxméms ne Media (Multimedia Specialist). 

Saul also looked to the work of the late Dave Seymour, Secwépemc artist and residential school Survivor, for authentic representation of other details in the piece such as hairstyles and winter clothing.

The result: the longer a person looks at the piece, the more details they see. 

Secwépemc Elders and many members of the Language and Culture department at Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc were involved in the development of the art piece and in helping BCLC rename the room c7ístkten̓—to support the recognition and pronunciation of Secwepemtsín. Visitors to the space will find information explaining the historical significance of the c7ístkten̓, and a sign with a link to the recorded pronunciation of the room.

“This collaboration with Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc is an example of BCLC’s commitment to building meaningful relationships with Indigenous communities and to its social purpose,” said Shane Vincenzi, BCLC’s Senior Manager of Indigenous Relations.

Vincenzi also collaborated with the Facilities team and Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc on opportunities aligned to BCLC’s new Sustainable Procurement Policy, which included working with an Indigenous-owned flooring business as part of the project. 

“We are thrilled to see c7ístkten̓ come to life as a shared meeting and gathering space”, said Kerr. “BCLC will continue to seek out future projects that amplify and align with our social purpose and support our Indigenous reconciliation journey. This is the first of many collaborative projects that we envision as we continue to intentionally build meaningful and lasting relationships with Indigenous communities throughout the province.” 

For more information, and to read the artist’s statement, please visit our website.