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Click on the VIDEO above to see footage of the Spirit Square Grand Opening
Click on the VIDEO above to hear Dean Fortin, Mayor of Victoria, BC speak at the Spirit Square Grand Opening.
Click on the video above to watch Robert Sam, Songhees Nation Chief speak at the Spirit Square Grand Opening.
Click on the video above to watch Andy Thomas, Esquimalt Nation Chief, Speak at the Spirit Square Grand opening.
Click on the video above to watch the Unity Drummers and Singers at the Spirit Square Grand Opening.
Click Here for More Video clips from the Spirit Square Grand Opening
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“Wasn’t it great to hear Coast Salish spoken so loudly and clearly and once again as a vital part of our community in this square?” -Mayor Dean Fortin
Diversity of culture and heritage was the theme of the grand opening of the new Centennial Square/Spirit Square.
Representatives of the City of Victoria, the Province of British Columbia, the Songhees Nation, the Esquimalt Nation and Victoria’s Chinese community took part in a ceremony on June 23, 2009 to unveil the new features of the city’s public square.
The days events began with a blessing by Songhees and Esquimalt elders, and dancing and drumming performances by the Esquimalt Dancers, The Unity Drummers, The Lion Dancers, and percussion group We Can Beat it.
The main event of the day was the unveiling of the two Spirit Poles (traditional Coast Salish house poles, similar to totem poles) called “The Two Brothers”.
“The Spirit Poles will stand as reminders for years to come, as everyone who lives here and everyone who visits here sees and appreciates the greatest assets that we have; the assets of the diversity of our people, which really is our identity.” said Ida Chong, BC Minister of Healthy Living and Sport.
The poles, designed and carved by master carver Butch Dick and his sons Clarence and Bradley, stand at the south-east gateway to the newly renovated square.
“These beautiful poles highlight the historical presence and the contributions of the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations, and they symbolize both our history and our future.” said Mayor of Victoria Dean Fortin.
Also part of the new square is a water fountain sculpture in the shape of a ladle called “The Big Dipper.’ The fountain, which drains into the gardens at the feet of the Spirit Poles, is meant to honour the role of Cormorant Creek, which once ran through the square, as a traditional source of water and life for the Songhees and Esquimalt people.
The heritage and culture of the original inhabitants of the land was front and center during the entire event, something unprecedented for the city.
“I was grateful to be invited to be part of this process here,” said Esquimalt Chief Andy Thomas. “It’s taken 150 years for us to come here, to be part, to be recognized, to stand up our artists, to stand up our work. Because it was like we were invisible for 150 years, but now, with the visions that are coming up, our people are starting to mark the trail.”
Everyone involved has high hopes for the future of Centennial Square, which has been a source of controversy and public debate for decades. Aside from honouring diversity of culture, the main intent of the renovations is to bring more people into the square and to be part of a revitalization of the entire downtown.
For a brief few hours all the negativity associated with the state of the downtown core was forgotten, replaced by a proud acknowledgement of all that is good about our past, and all that we collectively hope to see in the future. |
Related Links
Centennial Square/Victoria’s Spirit Square
City of Victoria Website
B.C. 150 – B.C. Spirit Squares
Government of British Columbia
Songhees Artist Butch Dick
Songhees Nation Website
Unity Dancers and Singers
Offical Website
The Lion Dance
Tradition and Symbolism
Pechet and Robb Art and Architecture
Project architect
Related News Links
‘Two Brothers’ open revamped spirit square
Times Colonist – July 24, 2009
$1.6M Centennial Square makeover approved
Canada.com – Oct 11, 2008
Editorial: Stalled on Centennial Square
Canada.com – Jun 13, 2008
Councillors spar over Centennial Square makeover
Canada.com – Jun 6, 2008
Centennial Square plans spark storm at Victoria council
Canada.com – Dec 14, 2007
Centennial Square to get $1-million facelift, totems
Canada.com – Oct 5, 2007
Signs of Lekwungen project to be cast in bronze
Canada.com – May 7, 2007
Ideas flow at consultants’ session on people-friendly public spaces
Canada.com – Feb 10, 2007
Fixing a public space that the public just doesn’t like
Canada.com – Feb 9, 2007
Centennial Square in line for facelift
Canada.com – Feb 2, 2007
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