New banners hanging at the University of Victoria share the creation story of the Lekwungen People.

Designed by internationally renowned Lekwungen master carver and artist Clarence B次元官网网址淏utchB次元官网网址� Dick, the works feature symbols including the eagle and the orca.

B次元官网网址淲hen your designs are chosen itB次元官网网址檚 always an honour to be able to reflect some of your designs and the gift that youB次元官网网址檝e been given,B次元官网网址� Dick said in a video interview posted by UVic.

B次元官网网址淯Vic is on our traditional lands and they need to put that up in lights, to show confidence that theyB次元官网网址檙e recognizing and acknowledging and respecting the lands of the Lekwungen People,B次元官网网址� he added later.

The master carver, who holds a PhD, often focuses on the creation story, which naturally reflects the ecosystems and environment surrounding the traditional lands.

The eagle embodies peace and friendship, and the orca is a symbol of longevity, protection and family. Both are key to the origin story.

The whales were swimming in a circle, going faster and faster. Then, moving toward shore, they began changing and transforming, Dick said.

B次元官网网址淏y the time they got to shore, they turned into wolves, and the different colour wolves went in different directions on the land and created villages all around the West Coast.B次元官网网址�

The eagle is significant as it delivers that story.

B次元官网网址淛ust about every gathering that we have, an eagle always appears overhead and itB次元官网网址檚 like a blessing to our community,B次元官网网址� Dick said.

The artist also holds a key role as an educator. In the Greater Victoria School District, he finds teaching has helped with his growth as much as his studentsB次元官网网址�.

B次元官网网址淭eaching always helps you to challenge yourself daily. Helping students learn also was a form of creating awareness between First Nation people and non-First Nation people in the school district,B次元官网网址� he noted.

Dick hopes to continue to inspire that next generation, even if itB次元官网网址檚 as simple as banners hanging overhead as inspiration. As an artist and a teacher, he leads rather than crafting students to his ways.

B次元官网网址淓very artist has to produce their own style.B次元官网网址�