Shux Shux and the Island: A Season of Honouring Our Grandmothers Healing Journey

Opening Reception: Saturday, April 18, 2026 5:00 - 7:00pm

Closing Reception: Saturday, June 20th, 2026 1:00-3:00 pm

Community Elements Chest Walk: Community members were invited to join Nadine Spence and the Honouring Our Grandmothers Healing Journey in front of the Legislative Assembly Building at 2:30pm on Saturday, April 18, 2026. The Community Elements Chest was carried from the Legislative Assembly to the Royal BC Museum at 3:30pm and continued on to Open Space Arts Society (510 Fort Street) to initiate the opening reception for Shux Shux and the Island exhibition.

A reflection on the walk by Nadine Spence:

The Honouring Our Grandmothers Healing Journey community Elements chest with carriers Autumn, Miyah, Chelanne and Tyson were welcomed into the territory by Tiffany and Atheana at the Beacon Hill Park ocean. This was witnessed by a small intimate community group, who then assisted in the chest carrying to Open Space Arts Society for the Shux Shux and the Island exhibition opening. 

One of the planned stops of our walk, was the Legislative Assembly Building for 2:30pm. We arrived closer to the LEG building closer to 3pm. Not noticing the signs on the stairs in front of the LEG, yet hearing the noise from the streets intersections infront of us. We stood watching as the marching group came toward us as we stood by the chest. Tiffany asked the group if we wanted to move or stay? No one responded to the question. Tiffany also remarked "I use to march with them, they know me and we can merge together." I said to Tiffany lets stay here. 

Tiffany asked the marching Palestinian group for their microphone, they obliged. Tiffany introduced us to the marching group. Then Atheana and I shared a bit about ourselves and the journey. I was so happy to see Grandma Rose Henry there and went up to her right away. 

The Honouring Our Grandmother Healing Journey walk from the ocean through Victoria, had no idea or plans to meet with and merge with the Palestinian community. Their April 18th march marked 130 weeks of taking to the streets to expose Canadian complicity in genocide and to reiterate our demands for justice from Turtle Island to Palestine. 

After the Palestinian rally on the street intersection, they joined our Honouring Our Grandmothers group walk to the impactful art opening of Shux Shux and the Island at the Open Space gallery. All marched the community Elements Chest to the gallery from the Legislature, stopping at the Royal BC Museum and the Mungo Martin house, where security became alarmed at all the visible keffiyehs.

We marched with drums, and song. The afternoon showcased the commonalities between the Palestinian community, and the Indigenous community — the shared resistance, resilience, and steadfastness.

Grizzly Bear and the Island is an invitation to witness a sacred, four-year voyage following the life-sustaining cycle of the wild salmon. This exhibition marks a pivotal moment in the Honouring Our Grandmothers Healing Journey, a project dedicated to lightening the burden of generational grief through the resurgence of Indigenous arts, culture, and language.