October 22 marked an important milestone in St. Michaels University School’s continued journey to become better neighbours to local Indigenous communities. In a morning ceremony, a newly-carved Coast Salish Welcome Pole was unveiled on the Richmond Road campus.
This “Honesty and Respect” Pole was carved by Dylan Thomas, Qwul'thilum, of the Lyackson Nation, during his final year as SMUS’s inaugural Indigenous Scholar.
Installed in a prominent location next to the School House building at the end of August, this Pole had, until this day, remained covered until it could be formally unveiled. This unveiling was a traditionally-informed ceremony organized around the advice and guidance of our Indigenous Guide Elder Bill White, of the Snuneymuxw Nation, and cultural specialist Elder Willie Pierre, Sxa-li-ya, of the Katzie Nation.
“The goal today was to conduct a ceremony that could be recognized and accepted by the ancestors of those who have lived on these lands since time immemorial,” described David Lynch, SMUS Indigenous Liaison, who is grateful for the ongoing guidance from Mr. White and Mr. Pierre. “Their collective knowledge and wisdom shaped every aspect of the gathering. If today was indeed a success and unfolded, as hoped, in a culturally appropriate way, it will be because of their invaluable guidance.”
For our traditional local communities, ceremonies such as this are meant to communicate and reinforce core values. Appropriately, Dylan Thomas’ carved pole features representations of Raven, Thunderbird and a pair of wool dogs, which tie back to the traditional stories that inspired the Spindle Whorls. The four Spindle Whorls, carved in 2021 by Thomas, represent the core values of the school—respect, courage, honest and service.
Tradition through Ceremony
Prior to the formalities, SMUS blankets, a sign of appreciation and respect, were presented to several guests, including Mr. Pierre, Mr. White and Elder Ogwi’low’gwa Kim Recalma-Clutesi of the Qualicum Nation. Middle School students Abi Porttriss and Pyper Tuohy assisted with the presentation.
The ceremony began with a thoughtful introduction through the words of David Lynch, SMUS Indigenous Liaison, as well as Grade 12 prefect Deristhi Govender. At the request of Mr. Thomas, and in keeping with local tradition, the esteemed Elder Dr. Skip Dick of the Songhees Nation then offered a formal welcome to the assembled audience and spoke of the significance of the occasion. His remarks, along with a speech by the Head of School, Mark Turner, were witnessed by the entire Middle and Senior Schools, with the Junior School joining in via live stream.
As a token of the school’s deep appreciation for Dylan Thomas’ impactful three-year tenure as Indigenous Scholar and for leaving a legacy for the school through his artistic talents the school gifted him with a Swukwulh, or Coast Salish nobility blanket, woven by the eminent artist and weaver Myrna Crossley Eliot of the Songhees Nation.
Awakening of the Welcome Pole
To formally awaken the Welcome Pole, the SMUS senior choir performed a blessing song, gifted to the school by Mr. Pierre, who worked with the choir over the past month. Mr. Pierre then led four Grade 12 prefects through a ritual where they brushed the newly unveiled pole with cedar boughs.
“I have learned that cultural pieces like this one not only reveal the sacred, but also speak to the importance of using ceremony to protect and surround our young people, to help them prepare for their future,” added Mr. Lynch. “Mr. Pierre, in particular, has spoken repeatedly to me of how this ceremony can serve as a common experience that will bind our diverse student population together, even after they graduate and find themselves in every corner of our increasingly interconnected world.”
During the ceremony, Mr. Thomas spoke to the significance of the imagery depicted on the pole and the ceremony concluded with thoughtful remarks from Ogwi’low’gwa and Mr. White, who highlighted the wider significance of Mr. Thomas’ work, and the school’s continuing journey on the path of Reconciliation.
The Welcome Pole stands outside of the School House Building, visible as students, staff, faculty and guests drive down the main roadway and serves as a permanent reminder of the continued work that the school is doing and can do with the guidance and advice of our Indigenous communities.
