Artist John Marston was joined by Mayor Aaron Stone, Chief John Elliot, and councillors from Ladysmith and Stz'uminus First Nation, and representatives from Western Forest Products to officially unveil the new sign on March 25. (Town of Ladysmith)

By Jordan Davidson

Naut’sa mawt

New welcome to Ladysmith sign features eye-catching Coast Salish styling

Mar 29, 2024 | 5:52 AM

LADYSMITH — A new sign welcoming people to Ladysmith is turning heads due to its unique and vibrant design, featuring a Coast Salish carving style.

Created by a local Stz’uminus artist John Marston, the new gateway sign is located at Baker Rd. on the south end of town along Hwy. 1, and was officially unveiled on March 25.

Marston said in a statement he was honoured to be given the opportunity to create the welcome sign, work which represents the strength their nations share and a hope for a better future.

“This is another step in the right direction of working together as one – Naut’sa mawt. While I was working on this, I thought a lot about the relationships and families in our region. This is a welcome sign, but I see so much more. I see our communities standing up together and pushing for the best we can do.”

Featured in the sign is carving work and traditional paint designs feature an eagle on one post, connecting it to the prominent Welcome Figure installed at Ladysmith Secondary School, and a killer whale transforming into a seawolf considered a significant creature for Stz’umunis First Nations.

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The top beam has a painted seawolf symbolically in the background, with the words ‘Unceded Stz’umunis Territory’ in front.

Mayor Aaron Stone said the new sign represents coming together and moving forward in a positive way by “putting reconciliation into action, every day.”

“On behalf of Council and the community, I’d like to thank John for this masterful piece that symbolizes and reaffirms the commitments made between Ladysmith and Stz’uminus over the last number of decades and our ongoing shared work together.”

Funding for the new sign and updated signage around town was provided by the Canada Community Revitalization Fund, with the Douglas Fir timbers donated by Western Forest Products.

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow