Sooke mural celebrates Indigenous culture, natural surroundings
A new mural by artists Shelley Davies and Diego Narvaez inspired by T’Sou-ke Nation culture has been unveiled at Sooke’s “Heritage Row”.
It replaces a mural by Bill Dixon installed in the 1990s depicting the area’s logging history, and features a bear, eagle and raven as protectors of the forest.
The artists created the mural, on the north wall of Heritage Row adjacent to Cafe Vosino on Eustace Road, with support from the District of Sooke and Mosaic Forest Management.
“This mural demonstrates our connection to the land and the delicate life cycle of the ecosystem,” said T-Sou-ke artist Davies. “All living beings come from this earth and are returned to the earth, creating a reciprocal bond between humans, animals and the natural environment.
“It has been the greatest honour to work alongside Diego to revitalize Bill Dixon’s original mural, and I raise my hands to all involved.”
Narvaez said that a mural can be a reminder of “what used to be,” as well as a look into the future of “what we want to build as a community.”
“It can also be a way to start conversations about how we understand the land and relate to other species,” Narvaez said.
“In times when our relationship with trees and forests is critical, we have created this work to recognize the past and open a door for future possibilities.”
Sooke Mayor Maja Tait said the mural “beautifully captures” the community’s relationship with the natural world.
“It’s more than just an artwork — it’s a reminder of where we’ve come from and a vision of where we’re headed,” she said. “Through the collaboration of talented artists, support from Mosaic Forest Management and the cultural teachings shared by the T’Sou-ke Nation, this mural is a celebration of resilience, renewal, and our shared responsibility to protect this land for future generations.”
Beautiful music: A chance to meet all kinds of musicians
The Bay Street Music Project on Oct. 19 aims to bring together all ages and skill levels of musicians to the Bay Street Armoury to meet with other musicians and be introduced to a range of music organizations.
The event is being presented by the Victoria Military Music Festival Society, and will feature participation by the Victoria Conservatory of Music, the University of Victoria School of Music, the Royal Canadian College of Organists and Music for Veterans, as well as several music retailers.
There will also be information booths and activities for youth.
“For three decades, the Victoria Military Music Society has brought inspirational music performances to Victoria,” said society chair Roger McGuire. “This event is different. It is an opportunity for the public to meet and engage with the musicians here in our community. It allows young people with an interest in music to learn about a world of performance possibilities they might not have considered.”
Visitors to the armoury — home of the 5th (B.C.) Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery, Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary’s) — will also be able to enjoy the site’s museums and a display of historical instruments.
Among them will be the bagpipes of Piper James Richardson, who posthumously earned the Victoria Cross in the First World War. The pipes were found in the mud in No Man’s Land.
The free event runs from noon to 4 p.m.
There will be a food truck outside the armoury entrance.
Trick or Trash: cleaning up with a Halloween theme
Peninsula Streams and Shorelines, a non-profit organization focused on restoring and protecting the region’s watersheds, will be part of a Halloween-themed cleanup around local waterways dubbed Trick or Trash.
They are joining in the Oct. 26 event with Early Career Ocean Professionals Canada, Ocean Wise and the Trash Panda Brigade — a south Vancouver Island outdoor activity/environmental group whose members will be taking part on paddleboards.
The public is invited to come to Regatta Point Park in Vic West, near the Selkirk Trestle, in Halloween costumes from 9:30 a.m. to noon for a gathering that will highlight the importance of Portage Inlet, the Gorge Waterway and Victoria Harbour.
Participants’ efforts will help in the collection of data for Ocean Wise, and contribute to both a microplastics survey by Early Career Ocean Professionals Canada and a Peninsula Streams and Shorelines survey of forage-fish eggs.
Forage fish are small-to-medium species like surf smelt eaten by larger fish.
The event will follow local acknowledgement of Surf Smelt Day on Oct. 25, meant to raise awareness of the role that forage fish play in the food chain.
Peninsula Streams and Shorelines has found more than 55 beaches from Sidney to Sooke where surf smelt and other forage-fish species spawn, including in Victoria Harbour, and said they are under threat from pollution and coastal development.
West Shore RCMP offers Indigenous Pre-Cadet Program
Two civilian employees with West Shore RCMP are touting the RCMP Indigenous Pre-Cadet Program, which is accepting applications for the spring 2025 session until Oct. 31.
The program is open to Indigenous people of First Nation, Inuit or Métis descent, the RCMP said.
It includes a three-week training session at the RCMP Training Academy in Regina, and introduces participants to Criminal Code, RCMP policy and what is needed to apply to be a police officer.
Shania Luna, who took the program in 2022, said in a statement that experiences gained through the program led her to working with West Shore RCMP. “The connections I have made through the program and the West Shore RCMP community have been invaluable.”
James Lieph, a 2023 graduate, said the program helped him go from wondering if he should pursue a policing career to knowing it’s the path he wants to follow.
Const. Cole Brewer, who is in charge of West Shore RCMP’s Indigenous and Community Policing Unit, said the program provides a great opportunity to get first-hand knowledge about law enforcement.
“West Shore RCMP is proud to have Shania and James as a part of the team,” he said.
For more on the program go to rcmp.ca/en/careers/indigenous-pre-cadet-training-program.
