A prayer pole and a warrior canoe were raised in remembrance of Coast Salish veterans.

In an event at the Cowichan campus of Vancouver Island University, the two carvings were unveiled in a ceremony attended by veterans from BC and Washington State. It followed an event last Remembrance Day at the Somena longhouse in Cowichan that honoured veterans from both sides of the border.

“Most of the time our veterans are not really acknowledged,” said master carver and VIU elder-in-residence Harold Joe. “Recognizing Coast Salish veterans for what they have done for us is important. It’s a great thing.”

George Rice carved the prayer pole under the guidance of Harold Joe while Joe, Roger George, Cory George, Walter Thomas and George Rice carved the warrior canoe. The pole will have a permanent home at VIU. The canoe will be made available for other communities to use as an ‘ambassador of remembrance’ and will travel to another community next Remembrance Day.

It is estimated that more than 7,000 Aboriginal Canadians served in the First and Second World Wars and the Korean War. BC Parks and Khowutzun Forestry Services donated timber for the project. Financial support was provided through Veterans Affairs Canada.Financial support was also provided through Veterans Affairs Canada.

Photos by Tricia Thomas