Indigenous welcome figure unveiled at another Surrey school

A figure to welcome all that enter Bothwell Elementary stands tall in the Surrey school, with the children thrilled to have the new addition in their daily lives.

Made by Sts’ailes (Chehalis) master carver Gary Leon, Bothwell’s school community officially unveiled the welcome post on Monday morning, bringing much needed light and happiness to the otherwise stormy day.

“As a school community, we’re really thankful for all of the work that Paula James and the Surrey district did to have the local pole here at Bothwell. It’s meaningful to us because since 1998, the school has been attended by many Katzie and Coast Salish First Peoples, First Nations, Inuit and Metis people,” said principal Krissy Eppele.

During the unveiling, the male Katzie students were in attendance to act as witnesses, and the remaining Indigenous students also watched on as the rest of the school watched a livestream of the event from the school’s gymnasium.

The school also invited Indigenous drummers and singers to share with the school before the ceremony kicked off with former Bothwell students also in attendance.

 

Cover Photo Source: Surrey-Now Leader

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