A family of bears, a salmon and the Indigenous Thunderbird symbol now adorn a Sooke Fire Department truck, thanks to the creative work of two TB次元官网网址橲ou-ke artists.

Designed by Shelley Davies and Isabelle St. Pierre, the two designs represent the role of the fire service in the TB次元官网网址橲ou-ke Nation and Sooke communities.

When Davies heard the fire department had invited TB次元官网网址橲ou-ke artists to submit their work for consideration, she was instantly drawn to the story of the Thunderbird for inspiration.

"The story goes that there was a long drought and the people called upon the Thunderbird for help as they were starving and couldn't grow anything," says Davies. "And he came and clapped his wings, and from his wings came lightning and rain and thunder."

B次元官网网址淭he Thunderbird is called upon when people are in great need,B次元官网网址� she adds. B次元官网网址淛ust like we call upon the firefighters to come help us when we're in the greatest need.B次元官网网址�

Alongside DaviesB次元官网网址� Thunderbird are the words SCINONET and CENANET, meaning strength and protection, which the artist feels mirrors the fire service's ethos.

A mother bear, her two cubs and a salmon are depicted in St. PierreB次元官网网址檚 design, which she says is reflective of the relationship between the fire service and the community.

B次元官网网址淭he salmon is representative of the TB次元官网网址橲o-uke Nation people, as we are deemed the salmon people,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淪o I used the salmon as a way to convey the commitment from the fire department to the nation.B次元官网网址�

The two cubs portray the Sooke community, says St. Pierre, with the mother bear offering a B次元官网网址渕aternal protection." 

B次元官网网址淪o the mother has its back towards the babies because it is trying to provide as well as ensure the babiesB次元官网网址� survival,B次元官网网址� she adds.

The relationship between the salmon and the bear also has meaning for the artist, who is currently studying sociology and film in Ontario.

"The salmon provides nutrients and food for the bear, who then helps provide to the land with the remains of the salmon," says St. Pierre. "So everything in this system is helping each other, just like the fire department is intending to do."

For both artists, this is not the first time their work has been selected for use in the community. 

St. Pierre created the logo for Ecole Poirier Elementary School while Davies, inspired by the traditional Salish calendar, most recently designed seasonal banners that will adorn the streets of Sooke in 2025. 

B次元官网网址淚 feel proud to represent my nation in being able to bring my art and the stories from our nation to Sooke district,B次元官网网址� said Davies. B次元官网网址淚t was such an honour and a blessing to be able to do this B次元官网网址� it kind of feels like a crowning achievement for me.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淏eing able to see my art shown in the community is really cool,B次元官网网址� said St. Pierre. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 so indescribable B次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 just super crazy.B次元官网网址�

Plans are now in the works for a blessing ceremony for the recently decorated fire truck, which will take place in the near future.