Camosun College celebrates 50th anniversary with House Post created by Indigenous alumni
Camosun College marked its 50th birthday with the unveiling of the Cycle of Knowledge House Post at its Interurban Campus.
The 18-foot-tall, 1,100-kilogram post was crafted by Tsawout First Nation member and W̱SÁNEĆ artist Bear Horne. As an alumni of the college’s First Nations program, Horne says the post was inspired by his time as a student at Camosun College.
"I learned a lot and I met a lot of really great people, and I carried those things on with me after I was done here," said Horne.
"I wanted to create a piece that put a little of what I learned here and all the things that I brought with me after."
Horne says House Posts have a significant role in W̱SÁNEĆ culture.
"It represents strength and would traditionally hold up our long houses," said Horne. "It stands a symbol of strength to our people."
Horne says the House Post reflects the connection between Camosun and Indigenous communities. He adds that he used traditional cedar carvings mounted on aluminum and bordered by silhouettes of waves as a representation of the transfer of knowledge and energy between students and faculty at the college.
"The piece at the top is the sun and it's significant because it represents the students here at Camosun and their energy and vibrancy," said Horne.
"The heron represents the patience that the students and the teachers bring with them while they are here," he said.
At the base of the House Post is a cedar disc carved by Horne depicting two salmon circling a salmon egg. He says the symbolism of the circle is a very significant element of the piece.
"The salmon in the circle and the egg in the middle represent all of the knowledge that is transferred between communities and bringing it back and sharing that knowledge with your people," he explained.
"Eventually some of those students become teachers here and transfer that knowledge to other students."
Camosun College opened its doors as a post-secondary institution to 980 registered students five decades ago on Sept. 16, 1971. Since then, the college’s Lansdowne and Interurban campuses have grown to more than 16,000 students a year.
The Cycle of Knowledge House Post stands outside the Centre for Trades and Education building as a welcome to students, faculty and visitors to Camosun’s Interurban Campus.
"The House Post tells the story of current and future students," said Camosun College president Sherri Bell.
"We wanted to have a representation of the meaning of Camosun College (and) the connection to our Indigenous communities as you come on campus."
From its humble beginnings in 1971, the college has grown to offer more than 160 academic classes, applied learning programs, trades training and education in health and human services. Camosun also offers technologies training and Indigenous education.
"We are proud of our student-centred approach to delivering decades of education for the benefit of our students and communities," said Bell.
"The Cycle of Knowledge House Post will serve as a welcome to students, staff and visitors while reflecting on the ongoing commitment to creating lasting relationships with Indigenous communities and peoples in the years to come," she said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
They were from different countries and barely spoke each other's languages. More than 20 years later, they're still happily in love
He decided to spend Christmas somewhere that wouldn't involve snowstorm disasters. She was spending the holidays with family, travelling for the first time outside of her native country of Venezuela. Both weren't expecting to meet someone special the night they crossed paths at a bar in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.
Man who set himself on fire outside Trump trial dies of injuries, police say
A man who doused himself in an accelerant and set himself on fire outside the courthouse where former U.S. President Donald Trump is on trial has died, police said.
12 students and teacher killed in Columbine school shooting remembered at 25th anniversary vigil
Thirteen victims of the Columbine High School shooting were remembered during a vigil Friday on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the shooting that was the worst the nation had seen at the time.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza city of Rafah kills at least 9 Palestinians, including 6 children
An Israeli airstrike on a house in Gaza's southernmost city killed at least nine people, six of them children, hospital authorities said Saturday, as Israel pursued its nearly seven-month offensive in the besieged Palestinian territory.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Iraq investigates a blast at a base of Iran-allied militias that killed 1. U.S. denies involvement
Iraqi authorities said Saturday that they were investigating an explosion that struck a base belonging to the Popular Mobilization Forces, a coalition of Iran-allied militias, killing one person and injuring eight.
The House is on the brink of approving aid for Ukraine and Israel after months of struggle
The House is preparing in a rare Saturday session to approve US$95 billion in foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.