The 100 Mile Elementary School has a beautiful new carving gracing its entrance.
The carving came about as a joint creation between Penny Reid, 100 Mile Elementary School’s Indigenous support worker, and Spirit Carver Dean Gilpin of Williams Lake.
Part of SD27’s vision is to have a welcoming monitor in the entranceway of every school, said 100 Mile principal Maria Telford.
“When choosing where we would have our TV, it’s been Penny’s vision to have the carving,” she said. “She’s connected Dean with our school over the last couple of years. He comes every year and does carving.”
Reid reached out to the artist to see if he would help with the project. She sketched out her vision and shared it with his “brilliant, creative ability,” Telford said.
Reid laughed and said the sketch looks nothing like the finished carving as she explained her inspiration.
“The wolf because it’s the 100 Mile Wolves, that’s what we call ourselves,” she said. “And the eagle because when we were outside we had drumming and we ended up with three eagles just overhead. We often see eagles when we’re outside.”
Visibly touched by the finished piece, Reid wiped away tears.
Gilpin said when people come in the door their eyes will automatically be pulled to the carving.
“The wood when you bring it inside: it’s always been a special thing for me,” he said. “If you go into any place with wood architecture it (brings) light, you know, to the room.”
The pieces of wood he used are Western Red Cedar. “The wood is so warm. I love it,” he said. “It’s some of the last big ancient trees. Now the thing about the wood down there? We have some of the last ‘ginormous’ trees and all these pieces come off of them, all of these pieces came off of a house from some part or another.”
Indicating the scalloped edge, Gilpin said “These here are symbols for the children. It’s the minds and it’s just fun to touch.”
fiona.grisswell@100milefreepress.net
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