Where Plants Speak: A Guided Walk with Cease Wyss

Learn about local plants with Dr. T’uy’t’tanat Cease Wyss on an inter-generational guided walk through X̱wáýx̱way (Stanley Park).

In honour of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, join Indigenous artist, ethnobotanist and knowledge keeper Dr. T’uy’t’tanat Cease Wyss for an inter-generational guided plant walk that interweaves ecology, storytelling and Indigenous knowledge. The program will begin at the Stanley Park Field House.

Together, participants will move through the landscapes of X̱wáýx̱way (Stanley Park) as Cease shares teachings about the plants that sustain and shape these ecosystems. Through stories and language connected to Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and Stó:lō territories, participants will be invited to slow down, listen closely and observe how the land carries memory and knowledge.

During the walk, each person will be asked to notice a single detail—a texture, sound, colour or subtle gesture—in the environment and carry it back as an observation.

Meeting location: The group will gather in front of the Second Beach concession stand. Directions »

Capacity for this event is limited. Registration is required.

FREE for children and youth aged 18 and under, Indigenous Peoples, Experiences Members and Circles of Giving Members; $5 for Ideas Members; and $10 for Access Pass Holders and the general public.

REGISTER NOW

If cost is a barrier to you or if you have any questions around accessibility at this event, please email learn@vanartgallery.bc.ca or call 604 662 4700.

Participants are encouraged to visit SANCTUARY: The Ancient Forest Experience, part of the exhibition Future Geographies: Art in the Century of Climate Change, at the Vancouver Art Gallery following the walk or at a later date.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Dr T’uy’t’tanat Cease Wyss (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh/Sto:Lo/Hawaiian/Swiss) is an interdisciplinary artist who works with digital media, writing, performance and land-based remediations. Her works focuses on sustainability, permaculture techniques and Coast Salish cultural elements. It has also included themes of ethnobotany, Indigenous language revival, Salish weaving and digital media technology. In 2022, Wyss was awarded an honorary PhD from Emily Carr University of Art + Design and in 2023 was awarded an artist residency in Stanley Park’s Field House for the four years. She will be infusing all elements of her diverse practice into this time spent reconnecting to her ancestors whose spirits remain a part of this forest and shoreline.