Siwash Rock

Welcome, traveler. I am delighted you could join me today for a rather extraordinary exploration along the fringes of Vancouver's renowned Stanley Park. …

We have strayed slightly from the ocean's edge to walk among the remnants of the original, magnificent forest that once entirely cloaked this peninsula. If you look into the dense, fern-covered undergrowth, you can see the ghosts…

Before we reach the imposing rock formation at the water's edge, we must pause at a quiet, deeply significant monument tucked slightly off the main path near Third Beach. Notice the intricate details carved into the stone here: a…

As we ascend slightly to the elevated grassy expanse of Ferguson Point, the panoramic vista of the vast ocean opens up before us. The horizon stretches out endlessly, often blurred by low hanging, atmospheric gray clouds that…

Continuing along the flat, paved seawall, following the curve of the shoreline, our primary subject finally comes into view. Rising dramatically from the churning ocean waters is a magnificent, naturally formed pinnacle of stone,…

We now stand at the very base of the cliffs, directly parallel to the great rock spire. I want to draw your attention to the name printed on your maps and the park signage: Siwash Rock. …

Now that we have stripped away the colonial baggage of the word Siwash, let us turn to the authentic indigenous history embedded in this stone. In the Squamish language, the rock is known by a name that translates to a concept…

We have reached the conclusion of our deep dive into the history and mythology of this remarkable stretch of the Stanley Park Seawall. As we continue walking slightly past the great stone spire, take one last, lingering look back…