Calling all Haisla artists – Help us rebrand Kitimat Valley Institute

January 21, 2026

Background
Haisla Nation acquired the land and training facility where Kitimat Valley Institute (KVI) is located from Coast Mountain School District #82 in 2010. As of 2024, this asset is managed by yáqʷa, Haisla Nation’s economic development corporation. KVI actively supports the education and training of Haisla Members, as well as workers and others related to major industry in Haisla traditional territory.

As part of yáqʷa’s management of the asset, upgrades to the facility are underway to ensure it continues to provide a stable source of revenue, while sustainably growing our services in collaboration with the needs of Haisla Nation and our current and future industry partners.

In addition to its economic benefit to the Nation, KVI and its programs provide an opportunity to reinforce and promote Haisla culture as part of ongoing operations.

Introducing q̓alilás
In 2025, yáqʷa collaborated with Haisla Culture and Language Department and Haisla Elders to identify a new name for KVI that reinforces Haisla ownership and amplifies the Nation’s language and culture as part of the facilities operations. Reflecting on the original purpose of acquiring the facility, yáqʷa proposed the concept ‘learn’, and the Elders brought forward the name q̓alilás, which translates to ‘learning centre’. We would like to thank the Haisla Culture and Heritage Department for your continued support, and extend a special thank you to the Elders Centre for your guidance in choosing the name.

Call for Submissions
yáqʷa is welcoming Haisla artists to submit a design for a logo for q̓alilás. If selected, the artists will work further with the yáqʷa team to finalize the designs.

Artists should consider the proposed uses for the logo when developing their design. For example, the logo will be used as signage for the facility, where it will feature prominently on the building and marketing materials and uses. We are also considering inviting the artist to portray their artwork and logo as a mural on the exterior and interior of the building.

Please be aware that details of the original concept design may require modifications depending on how it will be used.

The selected artist will be compensated $1,500 for their design, and yáqʷa will have exclusive use of the artwork as part of its business. If selected, the artist and yáqʷa will develop a scope of work for the potential mural, including proposed remuneration for time spent implementing the mural.

Submission Process
Interested Haisla artists are asked to submit the following:

• A bio with artist’s name, email, phone number, mailing address, social media information (if applicable)
• Qualifications as an artist
• A design that can be used as a logo and tells a story that reflects the name q̓alilás
• Title of the art along with a narrative on the design
• Any additional information relevant to the project

Please note that artists may also submit multiple designs.

Submissions should be provided by February 18, 2026, by email to Lisa Grant at lgrant@yaqwadevcorp.com

Submission Instructions

• Submit high quality common digital files (e.g. jpg or tiff file formats);
• For computer generated art, please provide the original application file along with a PDF for viewing;
• For hand drawn original art, please submit scans at a minimum 1,200 dpi; and
• Save your submissions as separate files, with your last name, lastname_Art_1, lastname_Art_2, etc.

Review and Selection Criteria

Representatives from yáqʷa will collaboratively select a successful artist. Submission packages received will be assessed based on the following criteria:

• Completeness of submission (bio and properly labelled art)
• Proportion, dimension, and ability to scale to the finished size
• Reflection of the q̓alilás name and meaning
• Creativity and originality
• Ability to meet timelines for final artwork by March 2, 2026
• Quality of artistic composition and design
• Consideration of artist’s narrative

We thank everyone in advance for their submissions, however only the chosen artist will be contacted. Any artwork submitted that is not selected shall remain the property of the artist who submitted it.

For more information or questions regarding this Call for Artists, please contact:

Lisa Grant, Business Development Manager
Email: lgrant@yaqwadevcorp.com