Hupakwanum: The Chief's Treasure Box

The area in and around Vancouver has been the home of First Nations people for thousands of years. Their influence and footsteps can easily be found. Hupakwanum, which means The Chief’s Treasure Box, is an obelisk made of wood and glass located in the Olympic Oval Precinct. It was created by three Nuu-chah-nulth artists. The glass is etched with images of creatures of the sea, land and sky, and the glass is lit up by LEDs, lending it an almost mystical appearance. The artists use contemporary methods to interpret the Hupakwanum, a unique characteristic of their culture, to help more people understand their history and culture.