A monumental public art installation is underway at the roundabout where Highways 16 and 37 meet—a symbolic and geographic intersection that connects cultures, communities, and travelers across northwestern British Columbia. This ambitious collaborative project, led by celebrated artists and supported by the Skeena Salmon Arts Festival Society, is titled Su-gigyet: New People.
Honouring the teachings and linguistic heritage of the Ts’msyen people, Su-gigyet—meaning “new people” in Sm’algyax—was a name gifted by the late Kitselas elder Sm-oogyet Sha-gann (Mel Bevan). Its deeper interpretation, “the original people have adopted a new way of doing things,” captures the heart of the installation’s message: reconciliation, transformation, and shared stewardship of the land and salmon.
At the center of the roundabout will stand a powerful sculpture carved by master Ts’msyen/Tlingit/Tahltan carver Stan Bevan. His design features three wooden human figures, shrouded in flowing aluminum forms sculpted by artist Mike Sorochan. Surrounding them will be six towering 9-foot salmon carvings, created under the artistic leadership of Rod Brown of Cohowood Studio.
The installation is more than art—it is a public expression of cultural continuity, connection to salmon, and a shared future. “This project represents a regional statement,” said organizers, “about who we are, where we come from, and the values we carry forward.”
This roundabout—where routes lead to Kitselas, Thornhill, Terrace, Prince Rupert, Prince George, Kitimat, and the Nass Valley—is a perfect canvas for a message this meaningful. It also includes a safe, accessible viewing platform with interpretive signage detailing the historical and cultural significance of the site. Visitors will also find photographable replicas of the artwork, enhancing the tourism experience while maintaining safety at the highway junction.
Work has already begun, with completion expected in fall 2025. The project was recently recognized with the 2022 Lieutenant Governor’s Arts and Music Award for its promotion of public art and cultural storytelling in the region.
As this landmark rises from wood and metal, it carries with it the wisdom of elders, the craft of artists, and the spirit of salmon—a living legacy for generations to come.
