The Heiltsuk nation occupied land and territory surrounding what is known today as Bella Bella. As people occupying land along the coast the waterways of the ocean and freshwater streams are vital to their existence. These waterways provide vast trade networks and access to large amounts of resources needed for life. This sea lion bowl represents the relationship between humans, the ocean and the life within it as well as the relationship between it all. Sea lions frequent many of the same areas as coastal fishermen as both hunt and depend on the salmon who return to the rivers each year to spawn. The bowl presents this connection between the food that not only the Heiltsuk Nation consume but also the food sea lions and many other animals depended on.