YVR Musqueam Centre & Canoe

We would like to begin by acknowledging that the land on which we gather is the unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and Musqueam Indian Band (Musqueam) are excited to introduce a very special space in the airport terminal, dedicated to Musqueam culture and history.

On Wednesday August 9th, 2023, The Musqueam Gathering Place, was unveiled at YVR alongside the centerpiece for the space, a stunning hand-crafted 30-foot ocean-going canoe – created by Musqueam master carvers who shared traditional skills passed down through generations.

In 2019, 126 YVR staff joined with representatives from 10 Musqueam families to embark on a remarkable journey that involved carving this canoe from a 600-year-old red cedar log.