The twin serpents symbolize evil that must be slain, but they also teach a lesson, learning from one鈥檚 mistakes.
The Thunderbird represents a force protecting us. The arches of the Lions Gate Bridge depict the bridging of cultures. The canoe shows that everyone is on this journey together, and three paddles up is a traditional First Nations sign that says we are not a threat, we come in peace.
All these elements will be on a cedar wall panel, carved by the community of West Vancouver under the direction of 麻豆社国产Nation artist Xwalacktun Rick Harry and hung in the lobby of the West Vancouver Police Department.
鈥淭he open story gives the artwork life,鈥� Xwalacktun explained on Thursday at an event to celebrate the launch of this carving project. Xwalacktun had his carving tools with him to show a group of local kids, community members and members of the West Vancouver Police Department and the Integrated First Nations Unit how the piece will be created.
Recently, the West Vancouver school district asked a carver to work with students and staff to make a welcome pole and the police department thought a similar project would be appropriate for their new building, said WVPD spokesman Const. Jeff Palmer.
鈥淲e moved into the new building in the past year looking for a project that would engage the community but would reflect the partnership and work we do with the 麻豆社国产First Nation,鈥� Palmer said. 鈥淲e want it to reflect ancestral stories about community safety as well as (the fact) the journey forward is one everyone has to take together.鈥�
The West Vancouver Foundation donated $10,000 to the carving project from its Compelling Opportunity Fund, a fund earmarked for projects that promote greater inclusion and community cohesion.
Nancy Farran, chair of the West Vancouver Foundation, said two key objectives of the foundation are reconciliation with First Nations and belonging, and this carving project meets those objectives by engaging First Nations, police, kids and seniors.
鈥淵ou鈥檙e pulling the elements of the community together,鈥� Farran said.
The West Vancouver Police Department has been providing policing services to the local First Nations community for more than four decades, said Chief Const. Len Goerke, and for the police department, it鈥檚 important to engage and partner with First Nations to maintain legitimacy and credibility.
鈥淚f you have legal authority, you鈥檙e just imposing something from the outside on someone else 鈥� that鈥檚 not a good model,鈥� Goerke said.
This project was the result of engaging with cultural advisers to create something that reflects history, but also it looks to the future, Goerke explained, and it will be seen by everyone who enters the police station.
The police department will set up dates when the community can come and work on the carving. Right now, Xwalacktun is working on transferring the design onto the four-by-seven-foot panel in preparation for it to be carved.
Xwalacktun, a world renowned carver who has recently been carving totem poles in Scotland, will be completing the West Vancouver panel by the end of the year, with a blessing ceremony and unveiling to come early next year.
The West Vancouver Police Department will let the public know through social media the dates of upcoming carving times. Community groups and individuals are encouraged to take part in the carving project.
