Petroglyph

Some Snuneymuxw people believe that petroglyphs are sacred and should be treated with respect. They believe that many petroglyphs were created by shamans, spiritual people, or individuals during spiritual quests, initiations or rites.

Snuneymuxw Elder Emily Manson spoke about the Jack Point petroglyph being removed from the Nanaimo estuary. "They should never have taken it because it was something real great to the Nanaimo People. It's like a spiritual thing for the Nanaimo. I was kind of sad when it was taken away."

The petroglyph was removed from Jack Point some time in the late 1960s or early 1970s. The plaque beneath it outside of the Nanaimo District Museum states: "This petroglyph from Jack Point was donated in memory of Paul Bennett by his family." The Bennett family owned the property before the province of British Columbia bought it for an industrial site. It has been left with the Elders of the Snuneymuxw First Nation to decide on the future location of the petroglyph. It may go back to Jack Point, to the new location of the Nanaimo District Museum or to a more protected location.

Just south of the city of Nanaimo, east of the Trans Canada highway is Petroglyph Provincial Park. Some of the most interesting petroglyphs found in the area are located in this tiny park. If you go there, you may find yourself standing on a petroglyph before you even realize it. The park includes an impressive array of depicted styles and creatures. It is believed that Haals the Creator came here. Another legend tells of a ceremony held on a sandstone bluff in what is now the park, after the Snuneymuxw successfully defended themselves against an attack from a northern group. Both the federal and provincial governments have agreed to give this park back to the Snuneymuxw to protect and manage.

Gabriola Island is an important area for the Snuneymuxw. There are more than a hundred petroglyphs on the island and others are being discovered yearly. Most petroglyphs are by the water, but many now are being found further inland. There are several books written about the petroglyphs of Gabriola Island.