Last year, TCG received a $1 million grant from the BC Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport to create and install cultural and wayfinding signage throughout Tahltan Territory, realizing a long-standing vision of many Tahltan members for a stronger presence of Tahltan language and culture on the land. Shaped by community input, these signs aim to foster Tahltan pride and identity, promote Tāłtān language and stories, and share our rich culture with visitors.

Timeline

The project will be completed in three phases:

When we visited with the youth at the Klappan Independent School, youth presented their ideas for signs that we could share with the Nation on Tahltan Day.

We asked them the same questions we now ask you:

• Where would you put a sign
• What would it say?
• What would it look like?

Click on the images to expand

This project is about you—your stories, your culture, your land. Your voice matters in shaping these signs, which are intended to reflect the places and stories that are meaningful to you. These signs will be more than just traditional exhibits—they will embody creativity and innovation. Possibilities include sculptures, digital media, interactive installations, public spaces for storytelling, and even audio experiences.

We conducted our first engagements in October 2024 with Elders in each community. Here’s what we learned.

• Culturally, Tahltan people don’t turn visitors away. Tahltans are warm and welcoming and support people visiting the communities in the right way.
• Build a model smokehouse (partially open like a picnic shelter) at Windy Point, before you descend into Telegraph, with model salmon hanging inside. Include:
  • a few key histories, e.g. story of making peace with the Tlingit
  • Instructions for visitors on how to behave in Tahltan and Telegraph villages – how to be respectful: don’t poke around unaccompanied, don’t fish or hunt without permission

• Place names are important and there should be a map of the Territory and the names of the important rocks shown on a sign in Tāłtān

• Do more research and use information sources that already exist. Talk to other Elders that lived on the land.
• The story of the great flood and Tsenaglode Mountain above Gnat Pass is an important story to tell.
• Build a large tactile map of the Territory (in the shape of the Territory) with Tāłtān place names on it. Incorporate digital audio for correct place name pronunciations.

• ‘Welcome to the community’ highway signs are needed. (Students are designing these and local artist and woodworking teacher can make the signs with the students.)
• Place name and storytelling signs around the Territory are important.
• The true Tommy Walker story needs to be told.
• Audio signs and stories would be very welcome to help connect with the language and history.
• We still need to come up with an installation concept in Iskut including a location. We’re in consultation with the Band. We’re thinking an installation adjacent to and supportive of the Kluachon restaurant and gas station.

General feedback was that the installations need to be accessible, with gathering spaces and benches for Elders, and the southern boundary sign might be in the wrong place and would be improved with a highway rest stop at the same location.

The Tahltan Nation sign at the southern border of the territory, installed during the previous signage project.

Our next step in engagement is getting feedback from you, the Tahltan Nation at large.

Please take our survey below to share your thoughts on the ideas from the community engagements above. At the end, you can write-up and upload any ideas you have as well.

Join our upcoming virtual session to learn more about the project and provide further input. We’re eager to hear your suggestions and ensure this project reflects our shared vision. The engagement is set for Wednesday, October 23 @ 7 PM.

For formal consideration, please read our Expression of Interest and follow the submission guidelines in the link below.

TCG is seeking Tahltan artists to participate in the design and development of cultural signage across the territory.

There are many opportunities for involvement, across many mediums, including drawing, painting, and carving; conceptual, graphic and architectural design. We want diverse artistic representation across the project and aim to engage artists in as many different mediums as practically possible.

If you have any interest in involvement, please let us know ASAP.

This work builds on previous Signage Projects, such as one conducted in 2017 under a BC 150 Year grant, led by Christine Creyke.

While the current project has a set timeline, we anticipate that many exciting ideas will emerge that cannot be realized immediately. The final signage plan will document these ideas and help prioritize future projects, ensuring the continued visibility of Tahltan culture in years to come.

This project is a bold step forward in strengthening the presence of Tahltan language, culture, and heritage throughout our territory. We look forward to your support and participation in this important initiative as we continue to share our stories with the world.