Our team designed this exhibition as the new entryway to the history of Vancouver at the Museum of Vancouver. The project is called “c̓əsnaʔəm—The City Before the City,” and it’s centred around historical belongings and contemporary culture of xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), who are among the traditional stewards of the unceded territory on which Vancouver was built.

The exhibit examined ways to “right history,” tracing the timeline of settlement of the land and the imposition of Euro-centric values and laws upon the “people of the grass.” As a design team, we supported the vision of Elders and of the museum curators in developing a warm, contemporary and respectful space.

One large wall features an enormous animated mythical creature, essential to the origin story of xʷməθkʷəy̓əm. Complimented by the delicate belongings, hovering in softly lit cases, the wall comes alive in textured black and white motion.