On June 7, 2026, CJSF visited the Mayne Island Community Library to attend a new art exhibition by W̱SÁNEĆ artist Chris Paul, titled “Rebuilding our Connections / Walking in Our Ancestors Footsteps.” The exhibition features Paul’s artwork inspired by Coast Salish styles, depicting plants, animals, and cultural stories from his W̱SÁNEĆ homeland. A reception and Q&A were held with Paul and the curatorial team.
This exhibition matters because it directly addresses the historical disruption of W̱SÁNEĆ connection to Mayne Island through colonialism, residential schools, language loss, and disease. By centering Indigenous perspectives and traditional artistic styles, the show serves as both a cultural reclamation and an educational platform, highlighting the ongoing importance of Indigenous representation in contemporary art spaces.