Celebrating the Courtenay El Totem Project

I have put together a video/slideshow about our Totem Project.  Enjoy!

Courtenay El Totem Project from Heidi Jungwirth on Vimeo.

Blessing of the logs

Courtenay Elementary School celebrated the beginning of their aboriginal carving project this Tuesday.  The school had a special ceremony led by Andy Everson to bless the logs that will be turned into the centerpieces of the school’s garden gate project.  All 185 students squeezed into the school’s outside covered area to watch as Andy Everson conducted the ceremonial blessing of the logs.  This included singing, drumming, and brushing the logs with cedar boughs.  The ceremony ended with the lead carver on the project, Karver Everson, joining his uncle in spreading eagle down feathers on the logs, which represent peace.

Andy Everson, Alexzander, Josalyn, Jade, and Mrs. Jungwirth bless the log

The entire project has been funded by a grant from Artstarts in Schools, a non-profit organization that aims to bring professional artists into BC schools.  The logs were generously donated by Western Forest Products. Grade 5 and 6 teacher Heidi Jungwirth, who is leading the project and originally put in the grant application, described the event as emotional  and moving; “Having all the kids watching intently as Andy’s chants echoed through the outdoor space made all the work we’ve been doing very worthwhile”.  Already the students have all worked with John Powell to learn about K’omoks art styles and techniques and with school district staff to learn the story of Queneesh, and the totem that goes with it.  Between now and June the younger students will be selecting and painting an animal, which will be displayed as part of the new gates for the school community garden.  The older students will also be more directly involved in painting and finishing the poles being carved.

The school is planning to complete and unveil the entire project on June 22^nd as part of the community’s celebration of National Aboriginal Day.  They are confident that this project will be an ongoing symbol of what is possible when the community comes together to support children.

The logs have arrived

Two huge logs arrived at our school this week, ready to be carved into two amazing totems to welcome people to our garden and our school.  These logs were generously donated by Western Forest Products and delivered to our school by very friendly neighbor.

Huge logs and a forklift make for a pretty exciting event at an elementary school, and many kids came out just to see them being unloaded.

Today Karver Everson, our head carver, began the process of stripping the logs of their bark.  many kids were involved, and even had a chance to enter the contest to guess the age of the logs.  After school students were swarming around the cedar bark strips to take the home to make bracelets and other woven items.  It's obvious that he kids are ready for this major project...