The Story of Our Logo
“Common Ties” by Susan Point, Musqueam First Nation
About the Logo
The imagery of “Common Ties” illustrates the connections between all life on Mother Earth. At the bottom, you have Mother Earth and her fire where we all come from and she continues to provide for us. From the fire emerges the sturgeon, that continuously reminds us of our ancient past and our ability to adapt and survive, which then connects to the salmon that provides us with food, then is connected to the wolf, legend says it is the protector of family, we then have the Raven who is the trickster and a Transformer, this tells us that we are adaptable and can transform in order to survive, this is followed by the owl, “the messenger “it is he who sees both worlds and informs us of what is to come. Atop sits the Crescent moon…this new moon telling us of the new beginning and inside this moon are four human figures representing the 4 corners of this land…. The sturgeon, the salmon, the wolf, the raven, the owl, and the human figures represent the sea, the land, and the sky. Each one of these figures represent a special place in First Nations stories and legends. We believe everything is interconnected. Connecting all these creatures leaves a “common tie” flowing like the river of life. The overall image is to remind us that all life is connected in one way or another.
About the Artist
SUSAN A. POINT O.C., DFA., RCA., D.Litt.
Renowned Coast Salish Artist Susan Point is from the Musqueam First Nation. Her distinct style has stimulated a movement in Coast Salish art. She draws inspiration from the stories of her ancestors and commences the use of non-traditional materials and techniques, therefore inspiring a whole new generation of artists.
As a result of Susan’s willingness, drive, and love of experimentation, she has been awarded numerous public art commissions, including building facades and large sculptures in Canada, Europe and the U.S. Some of these projects include art pieces for the City of Vancouver, the Vancouver International Airport, Stanley Park, the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., Douglas College and the UBC Museum of Anthropology.
Susan is an Officer of the Order of Canada, and has been presented with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for her contributions to Canada. She has also been recognized with: an Inspire Achievement Award, a YWCA Woman of Distinction Award, a B.C. Creative Achievement Award, appointed lifetime member to the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts, was selected to the International Women’s Forum, was listed one of B.C’s 100 most influential women, and was one of Vancouver’s 2012 Remarkable Women. Susan has Honorary Doctorates from: the University of Victoria, Simon Fraser University, University of B.C. and Emily Carr University of Art and Design. For more information on her work, please visit: www.susanpoint.com.