This October, the spirit of the orca will be front and centre at the World Rowing Coastal Championships (WRCC). For the first time, the International Rowing Federation (known by their French acronym, FISA) chose Sidney instead of Europe and South America, and the local organizing committee wanted a strong local connection. That meant including the four local First Nations who are hosting the event on their traditional territory.

Marla Weston, regatta manager for the WRCC, said the connection began in June when she asked the 冉脕U, WEL峁圗W瘫 Tribal School whether they could rent their space for a banquet.

B次元官网网址淚 was actually out on a bike ride and wondered if there was space at the tribal school that we could hold some of our events,B次元官网网址� said Weston. She spoke to the receptionist, Denise Sam, who she called B次元官网网址渁n amazing connectionB次元官网网址� to have between the rowing championship organizers and the local nations.

B次元官网网址淲e just started sharing and chatting about what their needs were and what we could provide here from the local community,B次元官网网址� said Sam.

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When searching for an artist to create their logo, Sam ultimately put Weston in touch with artist Archie Andrew, who was once a student at the school. Sam said Andrew helped carve the welcome totem in front of the Saanich Adult Education Centre with Bear Sam, another former student. Sam knew Andrew for years because they grew up together. B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 kind of one of those hard-working artists that doesnB次元官网网址檛 get the recognition I feel,B次元官网网址� said Sam.

The organizers wanted something orca-related, and it turns out Andrew had a work-in-progress that fit the bill. The work, which features an orca family on a blue background, immediately resonated with the organizers.

In an interview, Andrew said his work, B次元官网网址淥rca Spirit,B次元官网网址� was started B次元官网网址渁 long time ago,B次元官网网址� and was inspired by a family of orcas he saw while fishing in Pedder Bay in Metchosin. He photographed the family and used them for reference.

B次元官网网址淵ou can feel them, right, when they pass you? TheyB次元官网网址檙e pretty close to me. You can feel their presence. ThatB次元官网网址檚 what inspired me to paint that,B次元官网网址� said Andrew.

Andrew said he had been drawing since his elementary school years, but did not take it seriously until his 20s, when he started selling his work. He ran into Chief Floyd Joseph (a hereditary chief of the Squamish band) while at the local tribal school, who told him he needed two volunteer apprentices. Andrew volunteered, and began by sanding and following JosephB次元官网网址檚 instructions.

B次元官网网址淪o I picked up a knife too, and thatB次元官网网址檚 how it started.B次元官网网址�

Andrew said he tries hard to find his own style, but has taken inspiration from his mentorB次元官网网址檚 colouring system. Black and red colours, said Andrew, refer to the past, and other colours like blue and yellow refer to the present or future. Andrew visits his mentor still, and he watches him work on his paintings, carvings, and jewelry.

Andrew will have his work for sale at the championships, as will other local artists and artisans from local First Nations, which Weston said would expose their work to an international audience. The logo will be featured on the WRCC letterhead and limited edition posters. The logo will also be featured on buffs (circular bandanas) that identify volunteers (T-shirts were deemed not warm enough for October.)

Current tribal school students will also get their chance to shine, as Grade 4 and 5 students will welcome the rowers with dancing and singing on the evening of Oct. 11. Their inclusion is special for Sam because they are the first group of students to have been in a SEN膯O纽EN immersion program since they entered the school at age 3. They drum each morning on the longhouse on the grounds, which Sam said is B次元官网网址渢he best part of my day.B次元官网网址� Sam said she was thankful that an event of this size was open to as much local community involvement as possible. The promotional video was even narrated by Tsartlip elder STOL然E冉 (John Elliott).

The WRCC, which expects 400 international athletes to race in SidneyB次元官网网址檚 Bazan Bay, will take place Oct. 11-14.

reporter@peninsulanewsreview.com
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