In this rain-activated installation, words in Sḵwx̱wú7mesh sníchim (Squamish language) will appear when the ground is wet. The words, shared by artist S7atsáliya, are just some of the many terms in her language that relate to the rain and water.

“This project is near and dear to my heart. As a learner and speaker of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh sníchim, I’ve been passionate about finding ways to have our ancestral languages present on the land. Water is powerful. It is sacred and has the capability to wash and heal the things that bring heaviness to one’s heart.
As a Sḵwx̱wú7mesh person, I’m reminded of legends we have that teach us how to treat each other, our lands, waterways, and animal life. We truly live in a paradise here. We are taught to cherish the beauty within our lives and the surrounding natural world. Personally, I sleep much deeper and more soundly when it rains. Whether you prefer to stay cozy at home, or adventure outside, the rain is a chance to refresh and reset.
As you see the words appearing with the rain and disappearing with the sun, remember these words were spoken throughout these lands since time immemorial. On a rainy day, you can see that there are many words for rain.
My ancestors likely once walked the same pathways you’re on now, speaking the words you’re seeing today. I wonder what the rain was like back then, when there were trees higher than the skyscrapers… Did they stand in the rain to catch their breath, too?”