Before we start off today, I would like to tell you the driving question for this project, as something to think about while you read.
“How might we use an anthropological perspective to better understand the history of British Columbia?”
When I first started this project, I thought artifacts were things you’d find in museums. I never would have guessed that a snowboard could be an artifact, let alone one that carried such a deep cultural meaning. Then, I discovered the Challenger Snowboard, created by Xwalacktun in 2008. At first glance, it looked like just a beautifully designed board. But the more I learned, the more I realized that it was so, so much more. It is a bridge between tradition and modern life, and it acknowledges that Indigenous cultures are not just one static thing, but living, evolving expressions.
Challenger Snowboard, by Xwalacktun
🔍 Anthropology
What is Anthropology?
Before we talk more about my artifact, it’s important to understand anthropology, because this project is about more than just the snowboard. Anthropology is the study of human cultures, societies, and their development over time. It helps us understand how people create meaning, preserve traditions, and adapt to change.
Evidence of learning
After we learned about anthropology, we did a short quiz. I did ok on it, receiving a mark of 10/15. I definitely could’ve done better, so I made sure to put a lot of work into my final product to make up for it.
Here is the quiz
There are four main branches of anthropology
🪆 Cultural Anthropology – Studies how people live, their beliefs, traditions, and customs.
🦕 Archaeology – Focuses on physical artifacts and what they tell us about the past.
🧬 Biological Anthropology – Explores human evolution and adaptation.
🗣 Linguistic Anthropology – Examines language and communication in different cultures.
Quick quiz!
What type of anthropology studies peoples beliefs?
Answer: Cultural Anthropology!
Symbolism in the Challenger Snowboard
Every part of the Challenger Snowboard has meaning. Nothing is random, or is supposed to just “look good”.
🎭 Sxwayxwii Mask – A symbol of honour and personal challenges, just like those faced by snowboarders on the mountain.
👀 Coast Salish Eyes – Reminders that we are always watched by ancestors, the Creator, and our community.
🐋🦅 Killer Whale and Eagle – Representing strength, leadership, and the connection between land, sea, and sky.
🔴 Red Ochre Color – A sign of protection, symbolizing both personal strength and the responsibility to protect the land.
You can learn more about these symbols in my final product, you can click the link lower down.
🤝 Connection to Reconciliation
Why Does This Matter Today?
For generations, Indigenous cultures in Canada were suppressed by the government. Residential schools, the banning of ceremonies, and forbidding people to speak their language all worked to silence peoples Indigenous.
Reconciliation is about acknowledging this past and working with Indigenous peoples to try and heal. This is achieved through action, and we did a project about this! You can read all about it in my other post here.
The Challenger Snowboard is a perfect example of cultural resilience and revitalization. Instead of Indigenous identity being hidden away, it is being displayed in a modern context. By putting Indigenous art on a snowboard, a symbol of sport, movement, and adventure, Xwalacktun ensures that culture continues to thrive. It’s a reminder that Indigenous traditions are not relics of the past, they are part of today.
🎨 Final Product + Reflection
Through this project, I gained a completely new perspective on what artifacts can be. I started with the assumption that artifacts belong in museums, but I ended up realizing that they are all around us. The Challenger Snowboard is a modern artifact, one that tells a story of resilience, identity, and the current and ongoing presence of Indigenous culture.
Ok, this is it. All the information from this point leads up to this point! It’s time to show off my final product!
Here is how you get there. First, click this link.
Next, you are going to scroll close to the bottom here:
Next, click on it. You will be able to see all the different aspects of my project, including an exclusive interview with the artist, Xwalacktun. Enjoy!
🙋♂️ My Answer to the Driving Question
Before I give my answer, let’s look back at the driving question, and try to think about it and give your answer!
“How might we use an anthropological perspective to better understand the history of British Columbia?”
An anthropological perspective helps us understand BC’s history by showing off the resilience of Indigenous cultures as well as the impacts of colonization. Cultural anthropology shows how traditions like the potlatch, which were originally banned by the Canadian government, are now being revived as acts of cultural revitalization. Linguistic anthropology shows how Indigenous languages, nearly erased by residential schools, are being revitalized. By studying BC through these lenses, we see that Reconciliation is also about celebrating Indigenous cultures today.
