The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority has joined the Esquimalt and Songhees nations in a “placemaking” project to install Lekwungen art in downtown Victoria, with the goal of bringing First Nations culture to residents and visitors.
The GVHA described placemaking as “a concept that expresses a community’s identity through art, design or architecture,” and said the first art coming from the project is already in place along the Inner Harbour causeway.
It includes four red-and-yellow octopus umbrellas designed by Songhees artist and educator Clarence “Butch” Dick, two sea wolves with land and seascapes on the Inner Harbour marina gates designed by artists John Warren and Lajah Warren, and hummingbird banners on lamp posts by Songhees artist Brianna Bear.
“It’s exciting to see Lekwungen artwork showing the connection between our people and this place,” said Hereditary Chief Ed Thomas of the Esquimalt Nation. “It has been an important meeting place for generations.”
Songhees Chief Ron Sam also praised the placemaking project.
“This initiative not only highlights the rich cultural heritage of the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations, but also strengthens our shared commitment to celebrating and preserving Indigenous art and traditions.”
Also completed is a stylized metal gate at a dock entrance near Ship Point. It features a sea otter and a salmon, and is designed by Esquimalt artist Darlene Gait.
Four more dock gates will be installed, while Songhees artist Melissa McClurg’s red orca art piece has been added to a dock pile at the marina.
Pacific Economic Development Canada and the GVHA have each provided $49,000 in funding for the art initiative.
“We are thrilled to be part of this project,” said GVHA chief executive Robert Lewis-Manning. “It continues to be an amazing experience working with such a talented group of artists. We appreciate the guidance and wisdom provided by both nations during this project.”
For more about the project visit https://gvha.ca/first-nations-partnerships/harbour/.
Pemberton Park to get a new playground
The City of Victoria is working on a design for a new playground in Pemberton Park and wants to hear ideas from the community.
A budget of $900,000 has been approved.
The goal is for the new site to be inclusive and accessible, to enhance play areas while preserving the park’s trees and open space, and to fit in with the natural surroundings.
Accessible pathways will also be put in to link to amenities such as washrooms and picnic tables.
The concept plan for the playground includes bike racks, a carousel, a tower and a trampoline.
Pemberton Park is the second largest park in the Gonzales area after Hollywood Park, and is within walking distance for residents in the Rockland, Jubilee and Fairfeld neighbourhoods.
Along with the existing playground, it already features a baseball diamond, a soccer field, trails and a leash-optional section.
An online survey is available until Sept. 26, and there will also be a booth for the project at the Fall Fairfield festival on Sept. 22.
Fall Fairfield, organized by the Fairfield Gonzales Community Association, will be held at Robert J. Porter Park and Fairfield Community Place from noon-4 p.m. with more than 30 food and craft vendors, a pie contest and live music.
The final playground design will be made public in early 2025, with construction expected in the spring.
Take the survey at https://engage.victoria.ca/pemberton-park-playground-replacement/surveys/pemberton-park-playground-replacement.
Churchmouse Books’ fall sale focuses on Indigenous writers
Churchmouse Books, a volunteer-run store at St. Mary’s Church in Oak Bay, is holding its Autumn Book Sale this coming Saturday with a focus on Indigenous writers and culture.
Proceeds will go to the Victoria Native Friendship Centre, as well as the Threshold Housing Society, the Our Place Society and the food bank at St. John the Divine Church.
Art cards and other items made by Indigenous artists will be available for purchase.
The book sale will run from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at St. Mary’s at 1701 Elgin Rd., and will include a wide variety of used books in excellent condition along with an assortment of used puzzles.
There will also be a silent auction featuring rare and valuable books from the Churchmouse collection.
Smoked-salmon sandwiches and hot dogs will be available.
Admission is free and donations of books are welcome.
Churchmouse Books, started in 2016, is regularly open Saturdays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Seniors rally for action on climate issues
Seniors for Climate Victoria will mark National Seniors Day on Oct. 1. with a Rally for Climate Action at the legislature from 2-4 p.m.
The group is affiliated with the national Seniors for Climate organization, which is part of more than 50 similar events being held across the country to mark the day, as well.
The Victoria group said it has connections with other seniors and environmentalists and expects more than 1,000 people on Oct. 1, with a goal to increase awareness of climate issues and to pressure the provincial and federal governments to end subsidies for the fossil-fuel industry.
People will be able to sign a petition calling for the subsidies to stop.
The rally will include a series of speakers and a children’s dance in which a large globe will be symbolically passed from grandparent to grandchild.
Several environmental groups will have displays and information booths set up, including Stand Earth and the Climate Emergency Institute.
The gathering will close at 4 p.m. with a group rendition of Sing for the Planet, which organizers describe as an international climate-change anthem.
Uptown development project open for public engagement
Public engagement has begun for the Uptown Transit-Oriented Development project, and continues Thursday with a 5-8 p.m. open house at the New Life Community Fellowship Church, 3900 Carey Rd.
The project involves a mixed-use community with a transit exchange, housing, retail space and public areas.
There is also potential for such amenities as community-health and child-care facilities.
For additional details and to take an online survey go to https://engage.gov.bc.ca/uptowntransitorienteddevelopment.
