BY DUCK PATERSON
A marker in LadysmithB次元官网网址檚 road to reconciliation is now in place at the south end of town.
A new welcoming sign was unveiled by members of StzB次元官网网址檜minus and Ladysmith councils on Monday, March 25. The wooden sign, with metal lettering, was created by well-known Coast Salish and StzB次元官网网址檜minus carver John Marston, QapB次元官网网址檜B次元官网网址檒uq.
The sign, installed along the Trans-Canada Highway at Baker Road, includes depictions of an eagle as well as a sea wolfB次元官网网址檚 transformation into a killer whale. A territorial acknowledgement is also clearly stated.
B次元官网网址淲hen I do my artwork itB次元官网网址檚 pretty simple, but when we bring in statements of unceded territory, that bring in a whole new level of understanding and relationships,B次元官网网址� said Marston. B次元官网网址淲hen I started working on this project I really began to realize what we were collaborating on: the relationship between Ladysmith and StzB次元官网网址檜minus.B次元官网网址�
He said itB次元官网网址檚 meaningful to him to have the territorial acknowledgement at the top of the sign.
B次元官网网址淚t really made me proud to be able to put that message up there, especially at a time when people are starting to question those statements,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚t makes me very proud, it makes me very proud of Ladysmith, it makes me proud that I can show my kids and say this is the work that we are doing together.B次元官网网址�
Mayor Aaron Stone called the sign a B次元官网网址渕asterfulB次元官网网址� piece.
B次元官网网址淭he sign speaks to the strong commitment that our community has to working with the StzB次元官网网址檜minus community on economic, social and community efforts,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚t says so much about the culture and storytelling of the area.B次元官网网址�
Marston said the eagle is a purposeful connection to his welcome figure at Ladysmith Secondary School, while the sea wolf is representative of StzB次元官网网址檜minus nation.
B次元官网网址淚 usually go from my sketchbook to starting the project, but this was different. It [had] to be a digital version, it [had] to be precise measurements for the engineers to go over, it [had] to be blue-printed and then permits had to be applied for,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚t was a lot of work and time-consuming, but it was interesting. I really believe in the work that our communities have been doing and I appreciate all the support from all around, and the patience.B次元官网网址�
The project was funded by a federal grant, and Western Forest Products donated the wood, including Douglas fir timbers and Garry oak detail.
Plans for a new entrance sign at the north end of Ladysmith are still being refreshed and will incorporate colours that will match wayfinding signs being installed around the downtown.
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