New artwork on the House of Ancestors depicts five clans of the Lheidli T’enneh

New artwork on the side of the House of Ancestors has been unveiled.

The artwork depicts the symbols of the five clans of the Lheidli T’enneh, the Beaver, Caribou, Grouse, Bear and Frog clans.

“I think it’s very exciting,” said Lheidli T’enneh Councillor Crystal Gibbs.

“Our clan symbols have never been publicly displayed, and we went from a membership of 400 people to almost 900, so a lot of people have just come back home and are now finding out where they’re from.”

She added this project has been in the works for quite some time.

“I had the idea and of course with a project of this magnitude, I did consultation with our Elders and our knowledge holders,” Gibbs explained.

“I met with them a couple times, and I applied for the funding approximately a year-and-a-half ago, so it’s been a long journey, and this is just part of the project, this is the most meaningful part.”

The new artwork is just part of many new updates for the House of Ancestors.

“We had the building painted, we had the gates installed on all entrances with the Lheidli T’enneh logo on them, we received new AV equipment, the inside of the building was painted, all new linens, new flooring throughout both halls, and we are going to be installing an exit to our patio,” Gibbs said.

Gibbs added she would like to see the artwork of the five clans on other Lheidli T’enneh buildings, but it’s too early to say if that will happen.