Ogden Point Land & Sea Mural Blessing Ceremony

This ceremony will take place Thursday September 24, 2009 from 4pm to 6pm at the Ogden Point Pocket Park (south end of Ogden Point near the Pilot Station) in Victoria BC.
Artists Darlene Gait (Esquimalt Nation) and Butch Dick (Songhees Nation) have created the artwork for the Land and Sea Mural. The images for the mural are based on centuries-old Songhees and Esquimalt art traditions combined with contemporary elements.
Darlene Gait’s images represent the “Land” theme and include representations of The Gatekeeper (cougar), Running Deer, the Raven, and Eagle. Each of the images has its own story and spirit. Darlene designed the layout of the mural and framed the land and sea under the symbol of the wolf.
“The symbol of the wolf represents both Esquimalt and Songhees Nations. The wolf is the symbol of family unity. The spirits of our ancestors live on in those of us who try to bring dignity and nobility back to our people, through honesty, generosity and respect.” – Darlene Gait
Butch Dick’s images connect with the “Sea” theme. These include Salmon, The Harbour Seal, The Devil Fish (octopus), and The Sea Monster.
“I thank the ancestors and elders for their stories and the teachings, and this project is an acknowledgement of their endurance and sustainability. I thank those with vision who see beyond time and into the future, as their vision creates reality through awareness and enrichment.” – Butch Dick
A team of six young artists-in-training, mostly aboriginal youth currently attending school in Victoria, painted the designs on panels for the mural under the mentorship of the senior artists and the supervision of project manager Dean Kalyan. The artists-in-training have also created one image which is included in the large mural.