Ceremonial items & artwork
Artwork and ceremonial items have been created by local Indigenous artists for the occasion of President Hall's Welcome to the Territory & Installation Ceremony.
These works of art will support President Hall in his work and remind him of the commitments he makes during the ceremony.
Ceremonial blanket
Myrna Crossley, a member of Songhees First Nation, graciously agreed to create a blanket for the ceremony. The commissioned blanket is 59 inches by 60 inches excluding the fringe and weighs nine pounds.
The colours on the blanket were created using fir bark, fustic (mulberry bush), brazilwood bark, onion skin, nettle, hedge nettle and commercial black dye. Myrna prefers to use natural dyes as much as possible. The wool is spun and dyed by hand.
Myrna gets the design through prayer and meditation. As she works on these blankets, she begins each day in ceremony and asked to be guided to work with the wool in a good way. Each evening, the blanket is covered.
This style of blanket is referred to as a Nobility Blanket or a Chiefly Robe. The blanket can be used at public events, important gatherings, meetings or ceremonies.
Regalia hood
Ay Lelum and the Good family, from Snuneymuxw First Nation, to create a traditional Coast Salish art ceremonial hood for the installation. The hood was created by master Coast Salish artist and hereditary chief William Good, Tseskinakhen, and designer Sandra Good, Thul Te Lada.
The colours were chosen because red represents the female and life force and black represents the male. In Coast Salish teachings the supernatural eagle is the messenger, carrying knowledge and prayers between the spirit world and earth and imparts the vision and wisdom to guide one’s journey. The salmon was chosen because it represents the continuous life cycle on earth.
Kevin is a civil engineer who worked with water. Now he will be an “engineer,” a leader of the life cycle at UVic — imparting knowledge to the next generation. The waves represent the water, which is also a life-giving force. The waves are smooth, to provide a smooth tenure in his position.
These symbols are designed specifically for Kevin to give him the power and wisdom that he will need to do his job. Incorporating traditional Coast Salish art and history connects UVic to the traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples, the land, water and air, and the life cycle of the ancient knowledge of the past being brought into the future.
Reconciliation paddle
Three cedar paddles were commissioned by UVic when we hosted the National Building Reconciliation Forum in 2019. The vision for the paddles was to have three artists to represent Coast Salish canoe teachings. The paddles symbolize the value of paddling together, and represent the need for post-secondary institutions to work together to honour Truth and Reconciliation. The paddles symbolize our connections to the past, the present and the future. The paddles and a walking stick were presented to the Algoma University, the hosts of the 5th annual National Building Reconciliation Forum.
The paddle representing the present remains at UVic. It was carved and painted by two former students. Karver Everson (K’omoks and Kwakwaka’wakw) and Margaret August (Shishalh First Nation). This paddle is a constant reminder of UVic’s commitment to truth, respect and reconciliation. The stand was created by Fine Arts Audain Professor Carey Newman (Kwakwaka’wakw and Sto:lo).