Indigenous Carving Centres
Learn about the City's plans to build two carving centres to provide unique, accessible venues to support Indigenous cultural practices.
The City has plans to build two new Indigenous carving centres, one in South Surrey and one in North Surrey. These carving centres will support the City’s reconciliation efforts, provide new artist opportunities and support the transmission of cultural knowledge and practices.
The carving centres are one of several capital projects approved by City Council in the 2021 budget, with additional funding support from the Government of Canada, Heritage BC and Friends of the Surrey Museum and Archives Society. For more information, see the Capital Projects page.
South Surrey Indigenous Carving Centre
The South Surrey Indigenous Carving Centre will be built within Elgin Heritage Park (13723 Crescent Road). The venue will address the need for Indigenous programming and provide a dedicated venue to support carving practices.
Project Updates
The development of these venues originates from ongoing dialogue and consultation with Semiahmoo, Kwantlen and Katzie First Nations. A Ground Blessing Ceremony on October 2, 2021, attended by Mayor and Council.
Council approved the award of contract for construction services to Fricia Construction Ltd. on February 14, 2022 (R033; 2022). Construction began on June 20, 2022 and is expected to be substantially complete by end of year 2022, with full operations to commence in 2023.
Construction in progress on the South Surrey Indigenous Carving Centre
Semiahmoo, Kwantlen and Katzie First Nations organized and led a blessing ceremony on the grounds of the future Indigenous Carving Centre at Historic Stewart Farm
Semiahmoo, Kwantlen and Katzie First Nations organized and led a blessing ceremony on the grounds of the future Indigenous Carving Centre at Historic Stewart Farm
Semiahmoo, Kwantlen and Katzie First Nations organized and led a blessing ceremony on the grounds of the future Indigenous Carving Centre at Historic Stewart Farm
Semiahmoo, Kwantlen and Katzie First Nations organized and led a blessing ceremony on the grounds of the future Indigenous Carving Centre at Historic Stewart Farm
North Surrey Indigenous Carving Centre
The second venue will be in North Surrey, and is expected to be larger than the first, incorporating additional learning and gathering spaces. Consultation and facility development is still underway, with construction expected to begin in late 2023 and be complete in 2024.
Project Updates
Consultation, feasibility, and site analysis is currently underway. A construction timeline has not been determined.
Related News
- Tuesday, February 15, 2022 - Construction to Begin for South Surrey Indigenous Carving Centre
- Tuesday, February 23, 2021 - Surrey Receives $400,000 for Construction of Indigenous Carving Centre
Contact
For more information about this project, contact PRCCustomerService@surrey.ca.
This project has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund.
We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development.