Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media / A new gathering place led by Ts’elxwéyeqw Tribe has launched at the mouth of Peach Park, along Vedder Rotary Trail.

By Alyssa Conti

ART INSTALLATION

Indigenous-led public art installation launches at Peach Park

May 17, 2025 | 8:48 AM

CHILLIWACK — At the entrance of a park overlooking the Vedder River, there now stands a space that invites residents to reflect, gather and share stories for generations to come.

The Good Neighbours Lhewá:mel Project is a new public art installation along the Vedder Rotary Trail, at the mouth of Peach Park. The project is meant to serve as a Gathering Place and Welcome Portal, with architecture rooted in Indigenous knowledge by the Ts’elxwéyeqw Tribe.

“Rooted in the Sí:yá:ya Yóyes (Friends Working Together) Plan by Tourism Ch’illiwack, this initiative is a tangible step toward building relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities,” wrote Brian Minter, chair of Tourism Ch’illiwack. “The Gathering Place offers a space for learning, storytelling, and cultural exchange, while the Welcome Portal serves as an invitation to appreciate the land’s history and significance.”

Through interactive storytelling and design, the project hopes to encourage visitors to incorporate Indigenous values of finding humanity in the non-human and caring for the land as a living entity.

Source: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media

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“Reconciliation is about action, not just words. The Welcome Portal and Gathering Place embody this commitment, ensuring that Indigenous perspectives are not only acknowledged but embedded into how we care for this land. This is just the beginning of a long-term vision for shared responsibility,” said Chief David Jimmie of Squiala First Nation.

Design was finalized with Partners and Hawes and Urban Arts Architecture, and Indigenous tradespeople and management at MacQueen Systems led the project’s construction.

“The City of Chilliwack was honoured to be part of the Good Neighbours project,” said Mayor Popove. “Relationship building is an integral part of the work we do, and this project was an opportunity to continue to build relationships, while honouring Indigenous knowledge and values.”

Source: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media

The project is launched in part by Tourism Ch’illiwack, City of Chilliwack and Stó:lō Service Agency, with funding provided by PacifiCan.

An opening ceremony is set to be held at a later date. More information is available through Tourism Ch’illiwack’s website.