On Thursday, October 5th at 10 a.m., the Songhees Nation and the District of Oak Bay will unveil a sculpture to honour the life of wolf stqéyə (Staqeya).
The ceremony will take place at Cattle Point and is open to the public—everyone is invited to come and hear Staqeya’s story as well as how the wolf’s legacy will continue.
The sculpture is called The Soul of a Wolf, and was created by well-known stone sculptor Ken Laforme as a way to show appreciation for the wolf who spent much of his life off the coast of Oak Bay on Songhees Nation lands.
Staqeya’s story began in 2012, when the wolf braved the strong ocean currents and swam to Tl’Ches, also known as Chatham (Stsnaang) and Discovery (Skingeenis) islands. After living there for a period, Staqeya swam to Victoria in 2020 and was subsequently relocated and killed by a hunter.
As described, the marble sculpture is carved from a locally sourced glacier erratic boulder that was pushed up onto the forest floor.
The carvings in the sculpture share stories, and an opening offers a view of Chatham (Stsnaang) and Discovery (Skingeenis) islands.
“The Songhees Nation is honoured to see the sculpture of Stqéyə being raised in Oak Bay. Stqéyə represents a great leader for the Nation, late Chief Robert Sam,” said Chief Ron Sam.
“Due to the arrival of the Wolf to Tl’ches days after his passing, as a community, we felt as if this was our late Chief returning to watch over and protect us.”
So, not only does the sculpture pay homage to wolf Staqeya, it is also connected to the late Songhees Nation Chief Robert Sam who lived from 1936 to 2012, and was a survivor of the Kamloops Residential School at Tk’emlps te Secwépemc.
“This sculpture will help bring the important story of Stqéyə and our natural surroundings to residents and visitors alike,” said Oak Bay Mayor Kevin Murdoch.
“The District looks forward to honouring this important sculpture alongside the Songhees Nation.”
Wolf stqéyə (Staqeya) Sculpture Reveal
- Where: Cattle Point in Oak Bay
- When: Thursday, October 4th at 10 a.m.
.){kind=link}