Paddling Together

Designed under the direction of shíshálh Master Weaver Shy Watters

Paddling Together reflects the deep connection between the Salish Sea and the people who have lived along its shores for generations. For the shíshálh Nation and Coast Salish peoples, the sea is more than water—it is a source of life, a traditional highway, and a place that has connected families and Nations through travel, trade, ceremony, and gathering since time immemorial.

At the heart of the design is a cedar canoe, symbolizing our shared journey toward reconciliation. Above it, a bright yellow sun radiates outward through a series of paddles representing the past, present, and future. As Shy explains, the paddles remind us to learn from the past, come together in the present, and paddle forward as one so that future generations inherit a more just and compassionate world.

Framing the weaving is the traditional Coast Salish Eye motif in blue and green, symbolizing the waters that sustain and connect us. Red cedar fringe, harvested from the shíshálh swiya, honours the forests that have long provided shelter, materials, and cultural strength to the shíshálh people.

Together, these elements create a powerful reminder that reconciliation is a journey we must paddle together.