Shíshálh Nation member ch’elkwilwet Raquel Joe sweeps cedar boughs over a red cedar tree at a blessing ceremony in Sechelt for the “Carving Tears into Dreams of Reconciliation” project. Carver Tony Paul selected the tree, which he will carve into a 30-foot reconciliation pole over the next six months. The site is the location of one of the former buildings of the St. Augustine’s Residential School. The official opening to the public will take place on Indigenous Peoples’ Day on June 22. See more photos of the blessing ceremony in our online galleries at www.coastreporter.net/photos-videos
