“Həʔapus sqʷəbay” (Ha-push Squay-bay), the “Mother of Restoration,” was welcomed Thursday to her permanent home overlooking the future Deschutes Estuary in Olympia, where she in turn will welcome visitors for years to come.
Standing at over 10-feet tall and carved out of sacred old growth cedar, the new traditional Welcome Figure at the east end of the Olympia/Yashiro Friendship Bridge near Isthmus Park honors the renewal of a five-year accord between the City of Olympia and the Squaxin Island Tribe, and a commitment towards realizing the Deschutes Estuary Project.
The large-scale urban restoration project includes removing the 5th Avenue Dam to reintroduce tidal flow to Capitol Lake, restoring habitat and resources with historic significance for local tribes.
“She (Mother of Restoration) is meant to be here to help do what we’ve been talking about for generations, and that’s to clean the water, to now make this estuary a reality,” said Squaxin Tribal artist/carver Andrea Wilbur-Sigo. “It’s coming, because everybody here is working towards that. We’re working towards a brighter future.”
A Welcome Figure is a traditional, monumental wood carving created by Indigenous Coast Salish peoples of the Pacific Northwest, typically featuring a human figure with arms outstretched to greet visitors.
“Həʔapus sqʷəbay” depicts images of salmon and kelp in her skirt, acknowledging restoration efforts for both. She carries a baby on her back, and wears a hat woven from cedar bark, worn as regalia and for protection from the elements.
“This carving speaks volumes for our people of Squaxin, and it truly tells a story,” said council member Greg Lehman.
The Squaxin Island Tribe and the City of Olympia came up with the idea for a new Welcome Figure in downtown Olympia during its regular biannual meetings, held to maintain a shared vision for the five-year accord between the two governments.
The City of Olympia last renewed its five-year accord with the Squaxin Island Tribe in 2021. The agreement includes commitment to long term actions including “Create more opportunities for public art, education and community service that will promote a healthy exchange of cultures,” the city said in a news release.
“As we move into our next five-year accord with the tribe, we are going to go into it knowing that we’re all better when we work together,” said Olympia Mayor Dontae Payne.
A Welcome Figure in downtown Olympia is an important recognition that the City of Olympia is situated on the ancestral lands of the Squaxin people, the city said in a news release.
The installation of the Welcome Figure in Olympia, and the renewed accord between the Squaxin Island Tribe and the City of Olympia, are representative of the Squaxin Island Tribe’s commitment to being a good neighbor, said Squaxin Island Tribal Council Secretary Jim Peters.
“Throughout our histories, we’ve had conflicts, and we’ve been able to go through that,” Peters said, adding that he hopes the story of Thursday’s gathering between City of Olympia residents and the Squaxin Island Tribe will be among the stories future generations tell of the governments’ histories.
“You’re not just a participant here. You have some responsibilities now. You need to go back to your families, go back to your communities, your jobs, and share what you witnessed here today,” Peters said.
While “Həʔapus sqʷəbay” was born with a story and history from the Squaxin Island Tribe, Wilbur-Sigo said she hopes the Welcome Figure will feature in new stories as she continues to welcome visitors into downtown Olympia and the Deschutes Estuary.
“What it means to me, what it means to our tribe will always be the foundation, will always be the roots, but those stories are also going to metamorphose into your own stories,” Wilbur-Sigo said.
Wilbur-Sigo has carved several Welcome figures in the Olympia area, including the “Steh-Chass” Man just south of Squaxin Park and “Bigger” at South Puget Sound Community College.
