Tla’amin Nation calls their fieldhouse/ youth centre on the Sunshine Coast “či čʊy ʔaye & ayiš ʔaye” which means “cousins’ house”. It earns the name by being a place where young people can go and feel like one extended family having good times together. The Spring Guide indicates a recreation team, youth programs and a youth council in full swing since its opening last year. Language classes are held weekly, brimming with story, history and song.
The Tla’amin Nation, whose lands are on the Sunshine Coast of Western Canada put out a call for teen artists to create artwork that celebrates Tla’amin culture and language. The winner designed art and lettering that explain the valued foods and medicines in Tla’amin tradition.
“We used exposed 2X12 Douglas fir roof framing…which minimizes suspended ceilings, part of our commitment to employing minimum amounts of materials.”
The roof structure, with large round ‘shoulders’, reflects upon a Tla’amin origin story wherein Thunderbird, supreme bird of all birds, links the spirit and physical world.
“Amazing programs come out of the relationships with the building,” says Mackin. “We designed a big covered area so that the kids could make things and carve, with a multi-sport court where they play lacrosse. With the fieldhouse component, the Whitecaps Soccer Club come and coach sometimes.”
The building evokes a powerful, protective and strong design to replicate the Kathaumixw ‘gathering together of different peoples’ The Thunderbird logo calls to mind the hospitality of the Tla’amin Nation.
