When Walmart Canada’s Squamish reopened as a Supercentre on Aug. 20, customers were welcomed by more than a refreshed storefront. They were greeted by a new mural that shares stories rooted in the land, culture and history of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) people.
Prominently displayed on the store’s façade, the two-panel mural was created by father and son artists Ray (Sesiyam) Natraoro and Joshua (Schet7xwimtin) Watts Natraoro, whose work is rooted in Coast Salish culture, oral history and intergenerational storytelling.
The mural brings that storytelling to life through two significant beings from Squamish oral history: the Sinalhkay, a two-headed sea serpent, and the Inʼinyáxa7n, a Thunderbird.
Together, the panels reflect the rich Indigenous heritage of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh territory and stories connected to the history, culture and land of the community.
"The sea serpent is really influential in our history and the formation of our people as a whole," explains Joshua. "After slaying the serpent, our people realized we were stronger together. That's why it was important to display that piece of history and share the story in such a widely visited place."
Throughout the territory, mountains are connected to stories of places where the Thunderbird once landed - landmarks that continue to connect the landscape with stories passed down through generations.
For Joshua, a professional artist from Skwxwú7 mesh and tseshaht, the connection between art and history is central to the work.
“You can’t really separate our traditional art from our traditional history,” said Joshua. “The two go hand in hand.”
The Squamish project also carried a personal connection. Joshua grew up in Squamish, often shopping at Walmart, and saw the mural as a way to give back to a familiar community space while sharing something meaningful with a wide audience.
For Joshua and Ray, displaying Indigenous art in a place where thousands of people visit can help customers better understand the territory they’re in - and the stories that continue to shape it.
That sense of place is also important to the store team. Squamish Walmart Store Manager Donna Ricci Ortal said the mural helps ensure the newly renovated Supercentre reflects the community it serves.
“As a community store, it’s important that our customers see the people, cultures and stories that make Squamish unique reflected in our space,” said Donna. “Joshua and Ray have created something beautiful that honours the history of this territory and helps make our store feel even more connected to the community we’ve been proudly serving for more than 20 years.”
Joshua hopes customers take a moment to look beyond the artwork itself and learn more about the stories behind it.
“I just hope they like it, hope they appreciate it,” said Joshua, “and that they go, ‘Wow, this is better with this than without it.’”
For him, that moment of pause is part of the purpose: helping people see the store not just as a place to shop, but as a place connected to the land, people and stories around it.
