Carey NewmanB次元官网网址檚 carving workshop is tucked onto a seaside property on the Saanich Peninsula. The barn-like space smells of fresh cedar wood shavings, and purposefully has no windows to make everything inside seem enclosed, timeless and sacred.

Twice per week there are more hands working away than usual, thanks to a partnership between Newman and the Victoria Cool Aid Society.

B次元官网网址淲e were really looking for an opportunity for some of the Indigenous clients we serve to be in a cultural experience and get them out of the city and working with some tools, working with their hands,B次元官网网址� said Grey Showler, director of health and support services for Cool Aid. B次元官网网址淲orking at a cultural practice is a way for people to recover and to find meaning and wellness in their life, and this grew out of that.B次元官网网址�

When Cool Aid approached Newman, who is a world-renowned artist and master carver, he thought it was a great idea.

B次元官网网址淚 said absolutely, I thought it was a really great thing,B次元官网网址� Newman said.

Since the idea came up a year-and-a-half ago, half a dozen people with artistic interest have visited his workshop, and together designed the pole. Upon completion, it will be put up at an undisclosed location to celebrate Cool AidB次元官网网址檚 50th anniversary.

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B次元官网网址淲e donB次元官网网址檛 have a really strict agreement, weB次元官网网址檝e been approaching it in a very relaxed and cultural way where weB次元官网网址檙e not being governed by a schedule. WeB次元官网网址檙e trying to be open to working in the manner, and on the schedule, the person wants to work with,B次元官网网址� Newman said, adding that the carvers arenB次元官网网址檛 so much apprentices as they are friends and colleagues.

B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 know if I have a particular hope other than that we continue to keep doing these kinds of things together. ItB次元官网网址檚 a way that we do things as a community; we work together and share knowledge.B次元官网网址�

Showler said what heB次元官网网址檚 witnessed from the project is profound.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e seen a real change in where some of the guys are at in their lives. The way the carving has inspired them to do different things for their health, like eating well and exercisingB次元官网网址� things you wouldnB次元官网网址檛 expect,B次元官网网址� Showler said. B次元官网网址淎s people build confidence and self-esteem, thereB次元官网网址檚 reason to take care of those other things.B次元官网网址�

This was true for James Taylor, a First Nations artist from Alert Bay and Kingcome Inlet who has worked with jewelry and carved masks for nearly 40 years. Taylor has also been a patron of Cool AidB次元官网网址檚 medical centre for decades, and was told about the totem project by his doctor. Since he was introduced heB次元官网网址檚 been a steadfast participant, even helping Newman with outside projects as well.

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B次元官网网址淭his helped me quit drinking. I used to be a big-time drinker so when I come here itB次元官网网址檚 great, it just feels likeB次元官网网址� awayB次元官网网址�ItB次元官网网址檚 a different world when youB次元官网网址檙e so focused on something,B次元官网网址� Taylor said.

Taylor has been dedicated to learning from Newman and his assistant, Tejas Collison, even though technically he is the elder.

B次元官网网址淛ames is very intuitive and very committed and driven, which is nice,B次元官网网址� said Collison, who often acts as a supervisor for the team. B次元官网网址淔or him the confidence was always kind of there, but itB次元官网网址檚 cool to see him notice thingsB次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 a kind of confidence with the eye and the art and thatB次元官网网址檚 petty cool.B次元官网网址�

Together, the three have formed a strong bond. B次元官网网址淢y favourite part would be the three of us just sitting here doing our own thing, listening to the knives against the wood and just being together,B次元官网网址� Taylor said.

Taylor will continue to work with Newman on other projects once the totem is complete.

nicole.crescenzi@vicnews.com