Elevating Indigenous Art: The First Residence at Climate Pledge Arena
Empowering Native Creators with Smartsheet & Matika Wilbur’s “The Salmon People”
Photo by Josué Rivas
Smartsheet, Inc. engaged Tahoma Peak Solutions to support the launch of “The First Residence,” hosted by the Seattle Kraken and Climate Pledge Arena. The First Residence—a first-of-its-kind artist residency at a first-of-its-kind arena—aimed to elevate Indigenous artwork and storytelling to prompt conversation and personal reflection. As Climate Pledge Arena’s presenting partner, Smartsheet sought Tahoma Peak Solutions’ guidance in selecting a renowned Native artist for the The First Residence’s funding and facilitating artist communications throughout the project.
Tahoma Peak Solutions’ Valerie Segrest and Savannah Romero began the collaboration with a meticulous artist selection process, designed to ensure that the voices and visions of Indigenous artists were authentically represented in Smartsheet’s prospects. In addition to facilitating communication between Smartsheet and prospective artists, Tahoma Peak Solutions developed and presented a training course on "Cultivating Sustained Working Relationships with Native Partners." The course equipped Smartsheet with important knowledge and communication skills for ongoing use in future Native partner relations.
Photo courtesy of Matika Wilbur and Smartsheet, Inc.
Photo courtesy of Matika Wilbur and Smartsheet, Inc.
Photo courtesy of Matika Wilbur and Smartsheet, Inc.
Photo courtesy of Matika Wilbur and Smartsheet, Inc.
Smartsheet selected internationally recognized photographer, Matika Wilbur, to curate The First Residence’s installation. Acclaimed by the media and Climate Pledge Arena visitors, Matika’s exhibit—named “The Salmon People”—flowed with rich Native artistry and sentimental messages to honor her Swinomish and Tulalip Tribal heritage. The interactive exhibit conveyed a sense of joy and clear messaging central to the teachings and cultural values of the Coast Salish people, who have organized their lives around the management and return of the Salmon for thousands of years. The installation urged audiences to reflect on human impacts on Salmon habitats and climate change, highlighting the importance of being better stewards of the Salmon—a message deeply rooted in Coast Salish Tribal traditions and cosmology.
Matika Wilbur collaborated with celebrated Puyallup Tribe member and artist Shaun Peterson (also known as Qwalsius) to creatively merge modern technology with Coast Salish art practices. Their artistic synergies transformed the space into a playful and dynamic underwater world, where Salmon appeared to interact with visitors. The installation featured a blend of illustrations, video, regalia, projection mapping, and motion tracking—making it a truly immersive experience at Climate Pledge Arena. Visitors listened to the Salmon’s songs, watched their dances, and joyfully ran alongside the Salmon as they swam through the exhibit.
The collaboration also included contributions from Ervanna Little Eagle (Warm Springs), who assisted Matika in designing and sewing Salmon-themed blankets for the Suquamish Salmon Dancers. This intricate work further symbolized the commitment to honoring the life of the Salmon through song and dance and supported the exhibit's message of renewal and reciprocity.
Smartsheet’s funding and collaboration with Matika Wilbur illustrated the importance of uplifting Indigenous voices and set a new standard for how organizations can engage and support Native communities. With Tahoma Peak Solutions’ guidance on Indigenous relations, Smartsheet ensured The First Residence’s launch was an enriching experience for all, and they were set forth with a knowledgeable foundation for building meaningful Native partnerships for the long term.
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