After a short postponement out of respect for a recently deceased shíshálh Nation Elder, the Reconciliation Pole unveiling has been scheduled for July 6 at 11 a.m.
The pole was started by master carver ?antuni Tony Paul in 2019. He passed away during the COVID-19 pandemic.
lhe hiwus yalxwemult (Chief Lenora Joe) said she’s looking forward to seeing completion of the project. “It’s very exciting when you're looking at it to understand how many hands have been on that pole, there have been so many people that have been a part of its creation,” she said.
yalxwemult said the project bringing a wide range of people together was “a good representation of what reconciliation could be.”
She said working with the late ?antuni Tony Paul was an amazing opportunity and remarked how on top of being a master artist and carver, he was also an extraordinary storyteller.
The ceremony will be held on July 6 at 11 a.m. at the Reconciliation Plaza behind the recently completed Our House of Clans.
Jordan Copp is the Coast Reporter’s civic and Indigenous affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
