The Coast Salish Living Mural, designed and by artists, Free Borsey, Raven Borsey, and Roy Nicol, honors the stories, presence, and true history of the Coast Salish people on the land where Bellingham now stands. The mural brings to life teachings carried since time immemorial, with images of relatives like Kweleng’sen (Eagle), Scha’newx (Salmon), and Qwe’ thol’ mechin (Orca) as guides and includes Lhaq'temish (People of the Sea) traditional ecological technology like the Sxwo’le (reef net) and clam gardens. The mural, near an original Lummi village site, Xw’otqwem (Whatcom Creek) and in the shadow of Komo Kulshan (Mt. Baker), reminds us of gratitude—hy’shqe —and the ongoing relationship between people, land, and story. 

The next phase of the living mural is underway! We are in the process of designing nighttime projections to animate more stories and create a visually captivating experience for nighttime viewing.

Setting Sun Circle was able to create this Coast Salish Living Mural with the support of the City of Bellingham and Bellingham Tourism Commission.