In the summer of 2024 Wellington received a cedar log with intentions to transform it into a canoe!
This initiative will involve the active participation of our students under the guidance of carver Beau Wagner.
In addition to hands-on learning, students will have the opportunity to hear traditional stories, take part in a blessing ceremony, and learn about working with cedar bark. Scroll through this page to see the progression of the cedar and all those involved!
Funding was provided by the Civil Forfeiture Grant in the Indigenous Healing stream.
The project began with a dedicated team of NLPS staff moving the raw cedar into the Wellington outdoor learning space. This process saw a crane operator lifting the cedar pieces off the truck, and a crew securing and rolling the pieces through the school to the outdoor space. The crew made sure to avoid rolling the cedar onto the floor by moving plywood piece by piece.
On September 26, 2024 Wellington Secondary held its inaugural event to kick off the log carving project – transforming a raw cedar log into a canoe.
The ceremony began with a traditional blessing, featuring song and drumming.
Cedar boughs were used to brush the log, connecting students’ spirits to the spirit of the forest and the cedar log, symbolizing a cleansing and a gesture of gratitude.
This marked a meaningful and respectful start to the project.
hay c:ep ‘qa to our Indigenous Knowledge Keepers and those in ceremony for supporting our students and allowing us to document this special day.
