The City of Prince George, in partnership with Canfor, is excited to unveil new public art in the foyer of the Canfor Leisure Pool today.
The new art piece, titled ‘Talukw Bah Bedukaih/Dipping for Salmon’, was created as a collaboration between local artist Ray Desjarlais and their mother, Kym Gouchie. The artwork, which measures three metres by seven metres, depicts an elder dipping their net during twilight on the Nechako River. The artists’ goal was to share an appreciation for the art of dip netting, highlighting its beauty and serenity.
Mayor Simon Yu expressed his thanks to the Lheidli T’enneh artists and to Canfor for making this mural a possibility for all pool users to enjoy.
“This artwork and its vibrant colours, plus the story it tells, are a great way to educate our residents on the traditional art of dip netting. We are so grateful to have this beautiful work hanging in one of our facilities,” he said.
“As a Nation at the confluence of two rivers, the importance of water, fishing and aquaculture are not only of the utmost importance to us, but incredibly representative of Lheidli T’enneh’s history and future,” said Chief Dolleen Logan, on behalf of Lheidli T’enneh First Nation. “We are grateful to the City of Prince George for bringing this opportunity forward, to Canfor for commissioning the work, and to Lheidli T’enneh members and artists, Kym Gouchie and Ray Desjarlais for producing such a beautiful piece that will live on for years to come.”
Artist Ray Desjarlais said working on this piece has been “an eye-opening experience.”
“To take a concept thought up by my mother and bring it to life as the biggest art piece I’ve ever done has been incredibly rewarding, and I hope sharing this work not only educates people with a piece of Lheidli history, but also encourages them to appreciate the beauty of the Fraser and Nechako Rivers.”
Ray’s mother Kym Gouchie said “this collaborative art project has taken many twists and turns and I couldn’t be happier with where we’ve landed.
“We were given the theme of ‘water’ which was a wonderful source of inspiration. I immediately thought of an outdoor setting to include salmon which has been an important part of our livelihood as Lheidli T’enneh. I was transported back to a memory when I was a child. In the summertime, my parents would always be at the rivers fishing for salmon. It was a community place of gathering and visiting. But when nighttime fell, they become quiet. They would take turns stepping out onto the dip stand. I remember the sound and the rhythm of the net hitting the water. I wasn’t strong enough to pull the long pole and net through the water but I loved watching and I remember the excitement when a salmon was caught. I love that I was able to convey this imagery to my second born child and professional digital artist Ray Desjarlais for the creation of the art piece Talukw Bah Bedukaih/Dipping for Salmon. I hope that it is enjoyed by all and that it evokes memories for those who have had the pleasure of doing this traditional practice of harvesting salmon.”
The art piece is made possible thanks to a commission from Canfor.
”Canfor commissioned this public art piece to honour the Lheidli T’enneh People and to help bring unique, local Indigenous traditions and cultural practices into the heart of our community gathering spaces. Witnessing the collaboration and the intergenerational sharing between the artists, has been such a privilege and resulted in a beautiful gift to the community of Prince George,” said Kerri Simmons, Director Indigenous Partnerships, Canfor.
The Canfor Leisure Pool, located on Quebec Street, opened in November 2022.