Art
Indigenous Murals
Lynn Valley Library - Children's Area
Rise Above
By Kolten Khasalus Grant
Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw | Squamish Nation
This artwork was inspired by the vibrant and positive energy of the children’s space at the library. Drawing from the presence of the North Shore Mountains, and with artwork located on the left side of the room, I chose to include the two lions, known in my culture as the Twin Sisters. The legend tells that they were the children of a great transformer who came down from the sky — twins among a set of five children. They are dressed in traditional woven shawls and cedar bark hats, with facial features inspired by the Squamish style of design.
Beneath the sisters, the Salish design represents a supernatural canoe and also symbolizes the land and forest that lie below the mountains. At the top of the design, a rising sun shows its vibrant colours, representing children rising up with the tools and education they receive at the library, empowering them to grow and prosper in today’s world.
The hummingbirds below hold cultural significance, symbolizing abundance and prosperity. They also serve as a reminder of a healthy ecosystem, a theme echoed through the butterfly and bee designs.
Together, the artwork represents both the library and our Lynn Valley community— a thriving, abundant, and nurturing environment for our children. It is truly a blessing to live in such a beautiful part of North Vancouver.
About Kolten
Kolten is a multidisciplinary artist, raised in the village of Xwemelch’stn (Capilano reserve) and comes from the Baker family and is of the House of Liłuwagila. His lineage spans the Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxw, Kwagulth, Tlowitsis, Squamish, and N’Quatqua St’at’imc Nations. He is also a descendant of renowned ancestors George Hunt of Fort Rupert and Mary Ebbetts (Anislaga) of the Tlingit Tongass, as well as Chief Shakes of Wrangell, Alaska.
Born into a rich cultural lineage, he has dedicated his whole life to art. Deeply rooted in the teachings of his ancestors, he works across a range of media including silver jewelry, digital art, printmaking, and traditional cedar wood carving. Trained by master artists Klathe Bhi and Kevin Cranmer, his passion is to create work for his community and ceremonies and he carries a deep responsibility to pass on his artistic and cultural knowledge to the next generation.
The Boy and the She-wolf
By Olivia George
səlilwətaɬ | Tsleil-Waututh Nation
In the quiet of the cedar forest, a young boy and a she-wolf stalk a deer together. Their bodies are low. Their eyes follow the same path. They move as equals, as partners, as family.
The wolf brings instinct. The boy brings skill. Together, their gifts become one.
They walk with respect. They hunt with gratitude. They live in kinship with the deer, the forest, the land.
We walk strongest when we walk with our relatives — human, animal, and land.
This story reminds us that the land is not something we stand above—it is something we walk with.
When we honour these relationships, we walk in our community with strength, humility, and belonging.
About Olivia
Olivia George is a Tsleil-Waututh Nation Coast Salish artist. Born and raised in North Vancouver, her love for creating art began in elementary, throughout high school and led to attaining a Graphic Design diploma. Her goal when she creates art, either painted or digitally is not only to uplift herself but also those who view it. She loves to convey special meanings behind Indigenous symbolism in creative and honourable ways, and believes that we are one, strong and resilient. Our stories and symbolism carry pride and spread positive messages.