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
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.