Lake Cowichan’s first-ever totem pole will be going up this weekend.
The pole is a “thank you” gift to the community from the Lake Cowichan First Nation after the Town’s square was named after them.
Aaron Hamilton speaks on behalf of the band. He says the pole will represent the First Nation’s past, present and future, and the artist that created it will be on site to answer questions about carving techniques.
The raising will take place at the square next to the Vancouver Island Regional Library on Saturday at 10am.
Elsewhere, the Chemainus parkland referred to as “Echo Heights” will now officially be called Wul’aam Park in recognition of the Penelakut First Nation.
North Cowichan officials say the name was suggested by Florence James, a Penelakut member and elder in residence at VIU.
They say the park is important for the Penelakut people because it was used for cultural ceremonies and has a lot of plants that were used in traditional medicines.
A public ceremony will be held in the spring to celebrate the naming of the park.
