In 2019, TransLink established the Indigenous Relations department to develop principles, policies and initiatives that would advance reconciliation with the region’s First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples. TransLink recognized that supporting reconciliation requires action by our two governing bodies, enterprise leadership, and staff to learn more about Indigenous Peoples and to support new initiatives that aim to include Indigenous Peoples and their perspectives.
TransLink is committed to listening to Indigenous priorities in regional transportation, establishing new relationships, and implementing policies that are inclusive of Indigenous Nations. This transformative process acknowledges the necessity for ongoing investments and aims to build trust through positive outcomes for Indigenous Peoples. TransLink is dedicated to a fundamental shift in working with Indigenous Peoples, acknowledging that while building trust and reconciliation takes time, doing so is crucial for meaningful progress. The following Vision Statement and Guiding Principles were approved through engagement with the First Nations in our region.
TransLink's mandate is to connect Metro Vancouver and create a more livable region. In doing so, we will be inclusive of Indigenous Peoples, their cultures, and their perspectives. We will actively support reconciliation and the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in collaboration with Indigenous governments, organizations, and businesses in the pursuit of thriving and sustainable Indigenous communities.
TransLink respects the First Nations for their stewardship of the region from time immemorial and acknowledges all First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples for their continued resilience as active members of the community for generations to come. We recognize that in planning and managing the region’s transportation system we have a role to play in supporting reconciliation.
TransLink recognizes the legal and constitutional rights of Indigenous Nations and Peoples and the relationship between Indigenous Peoples and their treaty and unceded lands and resources.
Increase inclusion and diversity of Indigenous Peoples within TransLink's business and expand opportunities for Indigenous businesses.
Seek to understand and incorporate Indigenous communities' perspectives and solutions in TransLink's decision-making and the delivery of TransLink services, including those of urban Indigenous Peoples.
Celebrate engagement and inclusion of Indigenous employees and Indigenous businesses and participate in Indigenous celebrations.
TransLink acknowledges that reconciliation means something different to each Indigenous Nation, community, and individual. We recognize that our actions, intended to support reconciliation, must be tailored to reflect that Indigenous communities have distinct and unique cultures, histories, languages, rights, and traditions.
Like our relationship with First Nations and Indigenous Peoples, our understanding of the meaning of reconciliation, and its application to our work, will grow and evolve over time.
As part of our commitment to reconciliation, we recently released the 2023 TransLink Enterprise Reconciliation Report. The report provides a comprehensive overview of our progress and future aspirations in fostering meaningful connections and understanding with Indigenous Peoples. The current focus of TransLink’s Indigenous Relations work includes enhancing our reconciliation journey for enterprise staff, emphasizing the importance of meaningful consultation and engagement, and outlining strategies to strengthen relationships with Indigenous Peoples.
Through this report, we aim to transparently demonstrate our commitment to reconciliation while also laying the groundwork for continued collaboration and mutual respect.
TransLink recognizes that cultural recognition and language revitalization are important in fostering strong connections with the ten First Nations on whose traditional territories we operate, supports a safe and welcoming environment for all Indigenous Peoples, and advances TransLink’s commitment to reconciliation. Many First Nations and Indigenous Peoples have been working to revitalize, preserve, and share their unique languages, heritage, traditions, and distinctive worldviews. Through Cultural Recognition Projects, TransLink aims to spotlight the continuing presence of First Nations and their lands by uplifting local Indigenous artists and the messages carried through their artwork.
Artists: Rain Pierre. q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie First Nation); Natache Gabriel, q̓wɑ:n̓ƛ̓ ən’ (Kwantlen First Nation); Roxanne Charles, and Easton Arnouse, se’mya’me (Semiahmoo First Nation). Location: King George Station
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Before the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, 2023, TransLink unveiled new public art at King George SkyTrain Station celebrating First Nations culture and history while encouraging customers to reflect on the meaning of the land that they travel on every day.
The four commissioned artists mentioned below created the first cultural recognition artworks from their respective First Nations on TransLink’s system:
Rain Pierre, q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie First Nation) with "Our People..." artwork honors Katzie First Nation's matriarchal women and acknowledges missing and murdered Indigenous women. The orange design signifies Orange Shirt Day and commemorates the spirits of children lost in residential schools.
Natache Gabriel, q̓wɑ:n̓ƛ̓ ən’ (Kwantlen First Nation) contributed two artworks. The "Sun & Moon" piece symbolizes balance and reflects the daily SkyTrain commute from morning to evening. The "Wolf" artwork honors the Kwantlen Nation's spirit as tireless runners or hunters, emphasizing the significance of Indigenous visibility and presence in art.
Roxanne Charles, and Easton Arnouse, se’mya’me (Semiahmoo First Nation): "Flow of the River :: Xwim al e qen" artworks are inspired by Salish sheep horn jewelry and water symbolism, highlighting interconnectedness and the need to protect waterways. They aspire for the community to value water health as Indigenous Peoples have for generations.
To learn more about the artists and their artwork, visit Murals at King George Station celebrate local Indigenous Nations.
Artists: Kelly Cannell, Siobhan Joseph and Angela George Location: Waterfront SeaBus terminal, Lonsdale Quay SeaBus terminal
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TransLink worked with language experts from xʷməθkʷəyə̓m (Musqueam), Sḵwxw̱ú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), and sə̓lílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) to develop land acknowledgement statements in hən̓q̓əmin̓əm and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh sníchim for multiple displays at both the Lonsdale and Waterfront SeaBus terminals. The use of Indigenous languages creates awareness of the deep connections to the First Nations’ lands and waters by their ancestors and current community members.
The welcome messages have been incorporated into art sampled from the Burrard Chinook SeaBus wrap by artists Kelly Cannell (Musqueam), Siobhan Joseph (Squamish), and Angela George (Tsleil-Waututh).
To learn more about the artists and their artwork, visit New Indigenous language signage and art at SeaBus terminals.
Artist: Diamond Point Location: 63rd Ave Bus Loop
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In 2022, TransLink collaborated with the Marpole Business Association and Vancouver Mural Festival to feature xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) artist, Diamond Point, at the 63rd Avenue Bus Loop.
Diamond's mural, titled "We Are Still Here," symbolizes Musqueam's enduring presence and history in the area, particularly highlighting the ancient village and burial site of c̓əsnaʔəm. The mural's design incorporates significant elements like spindle whorl discs and heron motifs, representing ancestral belongings and the continued thriving of Musqueam culture. Through cedar bark weaving, the mural underscores the interconnection between past and present, reaffirming the enduring presence of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) people.
Artists: Mack Paul, Diamond Point, Hailee Stogan Location: Canada Line Bridge
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During the week of September 30, 2022, TransLink unveiled three First Nations murals created by xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) artists on the Canada Line Bridge. As part of the completion of Transport 2050, Metro Vancouver’s Regional Transportation Strategy, Canada Line Bridge hosted Indigenous murals of three xʷməθkʷəy̓əm artists: Mack Paul, Diamond Point, and Hailee Stogan. Each artist created an original digital mural reflecting the past, present, and future of the region, “through the lens of colonialism and reconciliation”.
"məθkʷəy̓ ʔiʔ sʔi:ɬqəy̓" designed by Mack Paul. It was inspired from the legend of the double-headed serpent, guardian of xʷməθkʷəy̓əm's namesake plant, which bloomed from its droppings, with its eyes said to ensnare those who gaze into them, depicted by asymmetrical faces within its loops.
"The Path Forward" designed by Diamond Point honors Musqueam community's history and resilience through a symbolic depiction of a canoe emerging from a spindle whorl against the backdrop of a Fraser River sunset, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging the territory's past while embracing its transformation.
"Passing Down Knowledge" designed by Hailee Stogan captures reconciliation in Vancouver by integrating the cityscape with Coast Salish-style hands, symbolizing the transmission of ancestral knowledge, while the sunrise and orange sky represent new beginnings and the truth and reconciliation movements.
To learn more about the artists and their artwork, visit TransLink unveils Indigenous murals on Canada Line Bridge or watch TransLink unveils Indigenous murals on Canada Line Bridge (youtube.com).
Artists: Kelly Cannell, Siobhan Joseph and qʷənat Angela George Location: Burrard Chinook SeaBus
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On July 22, 2021, TransLink’s new SeaBus vessel, the Burrard Chinook, sailed its maiden voyage on the shared and unceded territories of xʷməθkʷəyə̓m (Musqueam), Sḵwxw̱ ú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), and sə̓lílwətaʔɬ, (Tsleil-Waututh Nation).
TransLink worked with the First Nations to translate the name “Chinook” into their respective languages, Sḵwxw̱ ú7mesh Úxwumixw and hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓, to be displayed on the vessel. Artists from each Nation -Kelly Cannell, Siobhan Joseph, and qʷənat Angela George – designed the art wrap covering the exterior, which illustrates the lifecycle of the Chinook salmon and the historical importance of the Chinook salmon to the Pacific Northwest ecosystem.
The vessel was introduced into service with a cultural ceremony delivered in partnership with the First Nations.
To learn more about the artists and their artwork, visit TransLink’s Burrard Chinook SeaBus sails into service.
Video clips
Artists: Marianne Nicolson Location: Surrey Central Station
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“The Sea Captain” by Dzawada'enuxw artist Marianne Nicolson, provides an Indigenous perspective on the imagery of figureheads that were installed on the first sailing ships that brought colonial traders to the Pacific Northwest Coast.
The art piece was inspired by a 19th-century Haida Gwaii pipe, and the sculpture is a form of commentary art on the historical and ongoing interactions between Indigenous Peoples and newcomers. This pipe, carved by an unknown Haida master, was a response to the European and American sailors encountered during the fur trade era. It serves as a reminder of how Indigenous artists have historically engaged with and adapted colonial imagery into their own works, often as a form of social or political commentary.
Located in a bustling public transit hub, “The Sea Captain” challenges us to acknowledge the millennia-long history of Indigenous Peoples in this region and to consider how we can navigate our shared future respectfully.
To watch a video about this project, visit Surrey Central public artwork by Marianne Nicolson.
Artists: Tania Willard Location: Commercial–Broadway Station
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Where you stand today was once a forest. “Rule of the Trees” by Secwépemc artist Tania Willard, created in 2019 at Commercial Broadway Station, aims to restore the presence and echo of the land and its displaced ecological systems. It depicts the tree rings and root biomass of Coastal Douglas Fir trees. The branching we see in tree roots can also be observed in arteries, lungs, rivers, and antlers. It connects our life journeys and our bodies to points of convergence and divergence, similar to routes on the transit network.
The artwork also looks to connect the origins of language with the interconnected aspects of land, people, ecology, and history. It fosters a deeper connection with not only our daily commute, but also with the ground beneath us, emphasizing the sense of Indigeneity associated with this specific place.
For more information, visit Meet Tania Willard: The artist behind Commercial–Broadway’s public artwork.
Artists: Students from School District 43 Location: Moody Centre Station
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At Moody Centre Station, commuters are greeted by a traditional First Nations canoe hanging above the escalator. Originally crafted by Indigenous students who attended Centennial Secondary School, this elegant red canoe, carved from a cedar log, offers a unique cultural experience blending ancient and modern transportation. Restored by Suwa'lkh School students in 2016 as an art project, it serves to highlight the Indigenous culture of the region while commuters access West Coast Express trains.
Artists: Kwikwetlem First Nation Location: Coquitlam Central Station
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This piece is part of a collection of First Nations cultural pieces at Coquitlam Central Station in recognition of the Kwikwetlem First Nation, celebrating their heritage and culture.
This welcome panel, together with other pieces in the collection, serves as a platform for acknowledging and celebrating the Kwikwetlem First Nation's enduring connection to their ancestral lands and fostering learning about their history, language, and heritage.
Artists: Maynard Johnny Jr. Location: Coquitlam Central Station
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"Our Foundation” spoke to the respectful relationship cultivated with the Kwikwetlem people, recognizing, commemorating, and celebrating their enduring connection to these lands—both past and present.
Artists: Kwikwetlem First Nation Location: Coquitlam Central Station
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Throughout Coquitlam Central Station, these cultural pieces of “Navigating the future” are displayed in homage to the Kwikwetlem First Nation's heritage and for the enjoyment of commuters. They encompass a variety of elements, such as an etched glass panel and six original prints installed as transparent window decals on the glazing panels. Each piece includes an educational component, providing visitors with insights into Kwikwetlem culture.
Artists: Mark Point Location: Coquitlam Central Station
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This canoe is one of the beautiful cultural pieces displayed at Coquitlam Central Station. It encourages and promotes local artists while also demonstrating our admiration for the Kwikwetlem people and First Nation’s culture.
Artists: Damien George, Susan Point, Stan Green Location: Gilmore Station
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"Air, Land & Water" is a bronze medallion featuring the work of artists Damien George, Susan Point, and Stan Greene. Situated outside Gilmore SkyTrain Station. It was installed to mark First Nations’ commitment to a better environment when the Millennium Line was constructed in 2002.
The Public Art Installations Map is a repository of the many public art installations across the transit network. View the map to see Indigenous Art installations across the system.
During National Indigenous History Month in 2023, TransLink’s Art Moves Program featured DJ O Show at various locations around the transit system, including Waterfront Station, Bridgeport Bus Loop, and Surrey Central Station.
Known for her energy and expertise, DJ O Show, an Afro-Indigenous artist and former council member of the Squamish Nation, incorporated her cultural teachings into her performances. She has been honoured with awards such as the 2015 BC Indigenous Business Award and the 2021 Alumni of Excellence Award from Capilano University.
For more information, visit Art Moves page.
The blues artist Murray Porter, whose love for the genre was sparked at the young age of 14, has continued to captivate audiences with his soulful melodies and powerful storytelling.
In June 2022, during National Indigenous History Month, Murray was a featured performer for TransLink’s Art Moves Program. Hailing from the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory, Murray's music not only celebrates Indigenous culture but also sheds light on the challenges that Indigenous Peoples face today. Murray brought his talent to enrich the journey for commuters with his heartfelt performances. Murray's music served as a poignant reminder of resilience and heritage, echoing the voices of those who came before him.
To watch an interview with Murray Porter, visit Art Moves performer spotlight: blues musician Murray Porter (youtube.com)
In September 2022, TransLink, BC Transit, and Read Local BC launched Poetry In Transit at Word Vancouver, celebrating its 26th year. This initiative displayed works from ten BC poets on public transit vehicles throughout the province.
Among them was Joseph Dandurand, an Indigenous poet, whose piece "There is Always Laughter" was featured. He is a member of the Kwantlen First Nation, situated along the Fraser River just east of Vancouver, resides there with his three children. As the director of the Kwantlen Cultural Centre and the author of multiple acclaimed poetry collections, he was recognized with the BC Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Literary Excellence in 2021.
The poem reflects on the resilience of Indigenous Peoples, portraying laughter as a source of strength and unity amidst sorrow, highlighting their enduring spirit.
For more information, visit Poetry Bus! Celebrating the 26th year of Poetry in Transit - Griffin Poetry Prize page.
To mark Red Dress Day, TransLink invited Butterflies in Spirit to perform at Stadium-Chinatown SkyTrain Station, bringing their message of the need for action and justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-spirit Peoples (MMIWG2S+) to thousands of transit customers. Butterflies in Spirit is a dance company made up of family members of MMIWG2S+, which advocates for Indigenous rights through community engagement and art.
The Healing Journey Through Dance art installation by Butterflies in Spirit’s Founder and Director, Lorelei Williams, depicted the dancers and their missing or murdered family members. This powerful art was displayed at Stadium-Chinatown throughout the summer of 2023.
For more information, visit TransLink honours Red Dress Day page.
Named among BC’s Top Employers and Canada’s Greenest Employers, TransLink is committed to reconciliation and honouring the rights of Indigenous Peoples within Metro Vancouver.
We warmly invite all Indigenous job seekers to explore career opportunities at TransLink. We believe that Indigenous individuals are integral to our workforce, bringing invaluable perspectives, knowledge, and skills that contribute significantly to various aspects of our work, aimed at building and sustaining a progressive transit system.
Please visit our Careers page to explore our current job openings and get a glimpse of the experience of working at TransLink.
TransLink established an Indigenous Employee Resource Group, an employee-led initiative to build a sense of community and support shared lived experiences and Indigenous teachings while developing a professional network. This initiative provides a safe and inclusive place to celebrate Indigenous identities, cultures, and histories, encouraging goal sharing and networking, while fostering support and learning in the spirit of reconciliation.
Indigenous Employee Resource Group engaged in various activities, including participating in a ceremonial sweat lodge ceremony on the unceded territory of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), facilitating sharing circles for cultural teachings and mentorship discussions. Furthermore, they organized guest speaker sessions featuring advocates for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, a Knowledge Keeper guiding cultural plans, TransLink’s Director of Indigenous Relations discussing the diversity of Indigenous Peoples and culture, and a storyteller from the Kwantlen First Nation sharing poetry and lived experiences through spoken word sessions.
The newly created Elders Program aims to involve Elders and Knowledge Keepers in a variety of meaningful ways, ranging from cultural engagements and spiritual guidance to providing input on policy and practices. The goal is to create a collaborative space to share wisdom and insights, which in turn will help the enterprise better understand and serve the needs and interests of Indigenous employees and Indigenous Peoples within Metro Vancouver.
In recognizing the depth of knowledge and experience these Elders bring, TransLink is committed to ensuring their insights are included in our decision-making processes. This initiative marks a significant step in our journey towards a more inclusive and culturally respectful organization.
For additional information on Indigenous Relations, please contact indigenousrelations@translink.ca.