New logo for Vancouver Island school district by Indigenous artist represents moving forward

A southern Vancouver Island school district is swapping out its old logo forone it believesbetter reflects the community's collective journey of reconciliation and cultural respect.

On Nov. 3, the Board of Education for theCowichan Valley School District unveiled the new design by Stuart Pagaduan, a Cowichan Tribes member and Hul'q'umi'numlanguage and cultural advisor for the district.

Pagaduan'sdesignis a canoe with four people in front of a rising sun that featuresimages of a spaal' (raven) and a wuxus (frog) inside the colourful orb.

It will be rolled out over the next several months as use of the old one a blue, green andwhite image featuring the district's name is phased out.

Done in a Coast Salish style, the new logo is the result of the board's2020-2024 strategic planthat was designed with input from community members, staff and students.

According to a media release from the board, it realized the old logo did not represent thecommunity or its "collective journey".

So the board reached out to Pagaduan, a respected local artist with over 25 years experience, for anew one.

"The pressure was on," he saidwith a chuckle during an interview on CBC's On The Island.

WATCH | Artist Stuart Pagaduan shares what the new logo he designed for the Cowichan Valley School District means to him:

He said the canoe is symbolic of the community coming togetherand the animals depicted in the sun are in a state of transition, which also represents forward movement. The sun represents new days and new beginnings.

"The board is honoured to have such a beautiful and powerful representation of our district," said Candace Spilsbury, chair of the Board of Education in a statement. "Stuart's powerful art truly depicts our collective journey," she said.

Pagaduansaid there is still a lot of unfinished business when it comes to Indigenous relations, but thelogo is one tiny step forward for reconciliation.

"Whether or not you're in the canoe or not, there is no choice anymore, even if you don't want to grab that paddle you are going to sit in this canoe, we are going to move forward," he said.

Tap here tolisten tothe complete interview withStuart Pagaduan on CBC's On The Island.