Indigenous Art at Whistler Olympic Park

This red cedar carving is located at the park entrance, on the left-hand side just before the gate. It features two intertwined eagle feathers rising upward, with the figure of a Nordic athlete carved within each. 

In Lil’wat tradition, eagle feathers are earned through success in life, making them a powerful symbol of achievement. Here, earning a feather serves as a metaphor for earning a medal at the Olympics. Created by Johnnie Abraham and Jonathan Joe.

Located along the Olympic Connector trail, this plate steel sculpture features abstract figures of three wolves, painted in red, yellow, and blue to reflect a Prairie Métis aesthetic. 

Created by Métis 10 - a group of 10 Métis artists from British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario - this striking piece celebrates shared cultural identity and artistic expression.

Located outside, on the lower part of the Day Lodge, this welcome figure by Tawx'sin Yexwulla / Poolxturn Aaron Nelson Moody of the Squamish Nation was carved live each day during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games at Carver’s Corner—a highly visible location seen by every spectator on their way to the venues. 

The totem was raised in the summer of 2010 during a short drum ceremony and blessing, intended to watch over the Day Lodge and the Park and keep them safe forever. The original Carving Shack still stands at its original location on the popular “Top of the World” ski and hiking trail, overlooking Black Tusk.

Located outside the upper level of the Day Lodge, this yellow cedar house post portrays creatures of particular importance in Squamish culture. Raven is seen as a teacher, while Eagle is associated with the sun. The human figure holding a salmon pays homage to a well-known Squamish carving that once stood in the village of the artist’s uncle, symbolizing the Squamish people offering salmon to visitors. On the back of the post, salmon are shown swimming in local streams. Traditionally, house posts are used to support the ridge beams of longhouses.

Marjorie Lewis Paul is a member of the Mi’kmaq First Nation from Prince Edward Island. She made her first basket at 7 years old. Basketry, black ash, sweetgrass, acrylic paint, red ochre, satin ribbon, textile in the shape of a turtle which represents Prince Edward Island and Turtle Island, a traditional First Nations name for North America. Black ash was once common in PEI, but is now rare, adding value to the work. 

Four circles represent four corners of the Earth, honouring the athletes that came to compete at the Olympics. Red handprints represent the future and hope for the world’s children. The eight-pointed start is a traditional Mi’kmaq image found in ancient petroglyphs. This piece is located above the stairs,  in the day lodge.  

These yellow cedar doors, designed by Bruce Edmonds of the Lil’wat Nation, reflect a traditional Lil’wat landscape style. The scene features a great blue heron on the lake, a grizzly bear, and an eagle—animals shown living together in harmony. 

A cedar tree in the background symbolizes the wealth of many First Nations, as it provides essential resources for the Lil’wat people. The surrounding mountains represent the natural habitat of these animals, while the sun above serves as the nurturer of the Earth.

To experience the detail and craftsmanship of these artworks up close, explore them in person at Whistler Olympic Park! Five pieces are located in or around the Day Lodge. You can hike or drive to the remaining two (Vision Earned and the Inuksuk), while Mothers, Sisters & Grandfathers (the three wolves) requires a short ski or a 20-minute walk.

Download the trail map to guide your visit. Thank you for tagging us in your adventures @whistlerolympicpark. Enjoy!