Beau Wagner has been carving a traditional Coast Salish canoe on the grounds of the Elementary School since September 2021. The teachings (snawayalh) of his Stzuminus master teacher/carver include our connections to wood and the wilderness and our relationships to all living things, and these have been an fundamental part of this project and Beau’s interactions with our Gabriola community. The canoe will be launched on Friday, May 20th from 9:30 to noon at Twin Beaches.
More from the SFU/Snuneymuxw Syath: Living History and Culture Project:
“Patrick Aleck, Stz’uminus and Penelakut, will be coming over to sing for the launch. Beau Wagner will reflect on the carving process and reveal the canoe’s name. Selected students from the school will get a chance to be in the canoe in the water.
“You are welcome to drop by during the morning. Students will be coming and going as there is only one bus to transport them. Please remember that you are welcome to take pictures of the canoe but not of the children unless you have a prior understanding with parents or the School District.”
The image shows part of the process of steaming open the sides of the canoe at a public celebration in March 2022.
