the public art installation
This artist-led public art installation is a collaborative contemporary art installation between master Ts’msyen/Tlingit/Tahltan carver, Stan Bevan and his team of apprentices Brian McKee, Kobe Antoine and Savannah Medeiros, The other two lead artists are northwestern BC-based wood and metal artists, Rod Brown and Mike Sorochan. Bevan's team carved centre sculptures, featuring three wooden carvings of human forms, which are be enshrouded in aluminum and copper sculpted by Mike Sorochan. The centre sculpture is surrounded by six 9-foot wooden salmon carvings with aluminum design elements created by Roderick Brown of Cohowood Studio.
With a view to promote reconciliation through the arts and celebrate the importance of salmon to the people of northwestern BC, the Skeena Salmon Arts Festival works diligently to provide opportunities for Indigenous and other artists to showcase their works in high profile places and create a tourism draw based on the concept of public art in urban and wild places. This work was recently recognized with the 2022 Lieutenant Governor’s Arts and Music Award for the promotion of public art in the area.
The art installation was put in place on July 19 and 20, 2025.
The Name
Su-gigyet: New people
Su-gigyet is the name given this proposed project by the late Kitselas elder Sm-oogyet Sha-gann (Mel Bevan). Its literal translation means “new people” in the Sm’algyax language of the Ts’msyen people. The underlying meaning is “the original people have adopted a new way of doing things.”
Pronounced: Su = shoe gi = gee gyet = get.
The legacy of Sm-oogyet SATSAN (Mel Bevan)
The Skeena Salmon Arts Festival thanks the late Kitselas Sm-oogyet Satsan (Mel Bevan) for the gift of this name and the permission to use it in relation to this art installation project. Sm-oogyet Satsan passed away on October 10, 2023.
We are grateful for the gift of this name and the legacy he leaves behind.
The Location
This project is located in the roundabout located at the crossroads of Hwys 16 and 37. This is a strategic location that connects the communities of Kitselas, Thornhill (and other communities in the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine) and Terrace. It’s these highways that also bring travellers south to Kitimat, west to Prince Rupert, east to Prince George and north to Nisga’a territory in the Nass Valley.
Community COrner - a safe viewing area
In addition to the art installation itself, this project includes the development of interpretive signage that speaks to the historical importance of the location to the Kitselas people, Thornhill and the region. The Community Corner safe viewing area will allow visitors to take a photo of the installation at a safe distance and will include interpretive signage, a small replica of the centre human figures and picnic tables. The accessible viewing area is inclusive, has safety in mind and will provide a unique tourism experience.
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FUNDING SUPPORT
We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia.
