s.dəxʷìł Coast Salish Hunting Canoe

“It’s the only hunting canoe I’ve seen in real life,” KingGeorge said. “It blew my mind.”

In 2014, Warren KingGeorge and Burke Archaeology staff Peter Lape, Laura Phillips and Sven Haakanson started a project to study and conserve this canoe. Burke and Muckleshoot researchers have determined that it was carved in the early 1800s and was in use until the 1850s or later when it was left behind on the riverbank. Radiocarbon dating of the hull puts construction before 1840. Today we’re proud to announce that the public can come view s.dəxʷìł on our 3rd floor. This project was possible thanks to the collaboration with Muckleshoot and Nooksack tribal members whose knowledge guided the entire process.

Film Credits:

Directed by Peter Lape and Sven Haakanson
Cinematography and stills by Sven Haakanson
Additional Cinematography by Torsten Kjellstrand
Edited by Maria Kjellstrand