In the picturesque Creston Valley, artist Carol Louie is making waves by integrating her vibrant art into the very fabric of her community.

This self-taught talent, specializing in acrylics, captures the beauty of the natural world and derives inspiration from the rich traditions of the Yaqan Nuᶇkiy people, also known as the Lower Kootenay Band.

"Our culture is deeply connected to animals and legends," Louie shares, emphasizing her passion for translating her thoughts onto canvas. Whether it’s a mural, sign, or canvas, she aims to convey her heritage.

Last fall, her vivid interpretations of Kokanee salmon adorned new signs at Summit Creek Park and Balfour ferry terminal, highlighting efforts to conserve this vulnerable species. Louie’s latest endeavor is part of the Creston Valley–Kootenay Lake Wayfinding Project, aiming to enhance navigation and tourism in the region.

This initiative, spearheaded by Kootenay Employment Services (KES) and funded by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, will feature dynamic signage throughout Creston, including pedestrian markers, information panels, and entrance monuments celebrating Ktunaxa territory.

Collaborating closely with designer David Coates, Louie embraced new creative challenges as she worked remotely to develop her designs, which included intricate vector art for the very first time. Among her inspirations are cattails—vital to Yaqan Nuᶇkiy heritage for constructing traditional tule tipis.

"Cattails are harvested at a specific time, dried, and woven into mats that wrap around teepee frames," she explains, illustrating the deep connection her culture shares with the land.

Louie also harkens back to her family’s legacy with the sturgeon-nose canoe, a design passed down through generations. "My mom made the canoe, and now my son, Robin Louie, is taking on this family tradition with his cousins," she says proudly.

What sets this project apart is the incorporation of the Ktunaxa language on the signs, translating to: "Welcome to the land of the Marsh people." Louie states, "It's vital that we recognize ourselves as ᐠᴀkʔaqʔuʔahxu people of the Marsh – this defines who we are."

Despite having been an artist since childhood—her first sale happened when her mother bought a piece to cover the costs of splattered walls—Louie remains astonished at her artistic journey and the impact her work has now.

"I used to give my pieces away as gifts, never imagining I’d be here today. Being approached for this project was overwhelming, yet incredibly rewarding," she adds.

Beyond the wayfinding initiative, Louie’s work has also been selected for a call for Ktunaxa artists by the Cranbrook Society for Community Living, which will showcase a land acknowledgement piece this fall. She's also gearing up to create a legacy tipi for the Yaqan Nuᶇkiy Heritage Society, slated for completion by the end of September.

"I can’t wait to get started on that!" she exclaims, her enthusiasm palpable.

For those interested in Louie’s artwork, she can be reached at [email protected]. The Lower Kootenay Band council has finalized the designs, with installation of the new signage set to commence soon—an exciting step forward for both Louie and the community.