Mobile Menu

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Accessible Travel
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • West Coast Galleries
    • Nature Photography
    • Wildlife Photography
    • Cityscapes
  • Contests
    • Hotel Zed Contest
    • It’s A Shore Thing Summer Getaway
    • Camel’s Hump Guest Ranch Getaway
    • Raft. Relax. Recharge
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • West Coast Traveller Directory
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
  • Search
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • TikTok Icon
  • Flickr Icon
  • Menu
  • Skip to left header navigation
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • TikTok Icon
  • Flickr Icon

West Coast Traveller

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Accessible Travel
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • West Coast Galleries
    • Nature Photography
    • Wildlife Photography
    • Cityscapes
  • Contests
    • Hotel Zed Contest
    • It’s A Shore Thing Summer Getaway
    • Camel’s Hump Guest Ranch Getaway
    • Raft. Relax. Recharge
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • West Coast Traveller Directory
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
  • Search
You are here: Home / Travel / BC Ferries unveils Indigenous design for next Salish Class vessel

Kwakwaka’wakw and Coast Salish artist Maynard Johnny Jr. beside the unveiled design of the Salish Heron vessel. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

BC Ferries unveils Indigenous design for next Salish Class vessel

November 30, 2021 //  by Kiernan Green

Share this:

When Indigenous artist Maynard Johnny Jr. unveiled the heritage-inspired Salish art destined for BC Ferries’ newest Salish Class ferry, some described it as an impactful act of Indigenous representation and reconciliation.

The heron depiction, the namesake of the new Salish Heron set to launch in spring 2022, is “an important first step forward to raise awareness to the history of Canada and its Indigenous people,” Johnny said during a ceremony in the lobby of The Atrium building in Victoria, BC Ferries’ home base.

The self-taught, style-blending and award-winning graphic artist was inspired by the heron’s tendency to lead people to fishing holes through its prominence in the Chemainus territory and has depicted them before on cedar paddles, drums and in paintings.

“Any form of art opens a door to ease people’s tensions and allow for us to express our feelings and concerns that maybe we can’t do in a chamber of commerce or business,” he told a crowd of family members, BC Ferries staff and members of the First Peoples’ Cultural Council gathered in The Atrium lobby Monday morning.

READ MORE: Island Coast Salish artist’s colourful design selected for new BC Ferries vessel

BC Ferries passengers will ride the Salish Heron on trips to Pender, Saturna, Mayne and Galiano islands from and to Swartz Bay next year. The ferry will hold up to 138 vehicles and 600 passengers per trip, identical to Salish class vessels Salish Eagle, Salish Orca and Salish Raven. Those vessels also received accompanying Indigenous liveries according to Cultural Council special advisor Cathi Charles Wherry, who oversaw their commission.

Lukwungen dancers perform with BC Ferries CEO Mark Collins and First Peoples Cultural Council special advisor Cathi Charles Wherry (left) in the audience. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

Given all the years BC Ferries have traversed waterways belonging to British Columbia’s First Peoples, “we have not always done so in the spirit of harmony and reconciliation,” company CEO Mark Collins said.

Wherry, a member of the Rama Mnjikaning First Nation, said the Salish Heron art project speaks to the next generation of Indigenous peoples in B.C., such as the Lekwungen Traditional Dancers who performed at the unveiling, or Johnny’s two young grandchildren who were in attendance. “Young people seeing that on the ferries, they see themselves,” she said.

It also spoke towards broader understanding of First Nation reconciliation, Wherry said.

“With most settler agencies, there has been a history of not considering First Nations at all, disappearing us,” she said. “These current efforts move away from that type of approach. Reconciliation isn’t just emotional. It’s also economic.”

Representation of Indigenous thought can go further than graphic design, Johnny said.

“I always say the future is Indigenous – and I don’t mean we’re taking over. We have to implement a lot of our traditional and cultural beliefs into today’s systems to save our environment.”

Plan your adventures throughout the West Coast at westcoasttraveller.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @thewestcoasttraveller. And for the top West Coast Travel stories of the week delivered right to your inbox, sign up for our weekly Armchair Traveller newsletter!

Share this:

Category: TravelTag: BCFerries, British Columbia Destinations, Canada, Indigenous Tourism, WCT Intro

Related Posts

You may be interested in these posts from the same category.

Travel on the Fly: A slushy good time spring skiing; Mountain-top beer festivities+ more!

From a Kootenay Beer Festival to a slushy end to a long, snowy spring ski…

Travel on the Fly: A slushy good time spring skiing; Mountain-top beer festivities+ more!Read More

Golden’s boy Boo boogies out of bed

The first day of spring isn’t officially until March 20, but for residents of Golden,…

Golden’s boy Boo boogies out of bedRead More

Take an Alberta roadtrip in the footsteps of ‘The Last of Us’

The HBO TV series The Last of Us has not only made many Albertans proud…

Take an Alberta roadtrip in the footsteps of ‘The Last of Us’Read More

BC Ferries launches app for quicker booking, check-in and trip management

Those wanting to explore British Columbia’s coasts can now plan and track their travels from…

BC Ferries launches app for quicker booking, check-in and trip managementRead More

From history-rich walks to hand-crafted beers, it’s time to explore the Cariboo like a local

One of the best parts of travelling is discovering those special places that aren’t in…

From history-rich walks to hand-crafted beers, it’s time to explore the Cariboo like a localRead More

Ride the rails on the Amtrak Cascades for a rumbling adventure

All aboard! Daily direct train service between Oregon and Canada has been fully restored on…

Ride the rails on the Amtrak Cascades for a rumbling adventureRead More

Preservation vs. Playground: What Banff has learned from a century of tourism

In February 2022 I travelled to Powell River, a small B.C. town transitioning from resource…

Preservation vs. Playground: What Banff has learned from a century of tourismRead More

Going deep: exploring the waters off Vancouver Island with winter diving

Vancouver Island has a wonderful reputation for so many things – not the least of…

Going deep: exploring the waters off Vancouver Island with winter divingRead More

Harbour Air offering new Comox-Powell River route; Vancouver route restarts

Vancouver Island residents heading to Powell River can now get there in a fraction of…

Harbour Air offering new Comox-Powell River route; Vancouver route restartsRead More

Previous Post: « Granville Island: An urban haven that transformed a waterfront wasteland
Next Post: Netflix map marks Victoria-area sites where hit series Maid was filmed »

Primary Sidebar

Things To Do

Travel on the Fly: A slushy good time spring skiing; Mountain-top beer festivities+ more!

March 14, 2023

Golden’s boy Boo boogies out of bed

March 14, 2023

Take an Alberta roadtrip in the footsteps of ‘The Last of Us’

March 14, 2023

BC Ferries launches app for quicker booking, check-in and trip management

March 13, 2023

Recent Posts

Travel on the Fly: A slushy good time spring skiing; Mountain-top beer festivities+ more!

March 14, 2023

Golden’s boy Boo boogies out of bed

March 14, 2023

Take an Alberta roadtrip in the footsteps of ‘The Last of Us’

March 14, 2023

BC Ferries launches app for quicker booking, check-in and trip management

March 13, 2023

Footer

The West Coast Traveller has an immense social media footprint, with eight social media sites and and 125,000+ social followers.

Join us on social media and Join Our Community by sharing your stuff!

Get Inspired

News Media Groups

Black Press Media
Sound Publishing
Oahu Media Group
Alaska
Boulevard Magazines
Used.ca

Let’s Get Social

West Coast Traveller
I Love British Columbia
I Love Alberta
I Love Yukon
I Love Northwest Territories
I Love Washington
I Love California
I Love Oregon
I Love Alaska

Visit Our Companion Sites

I Love Saskatchewan
I Love Manitoba
I Love Nunavut
I Love Ontario
I Love Quebec
I Love Newfoundland and Labrador
I Love Nova Scotia
I Love New Brunswick
I Love Prince Edward Island

Site Footer

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • TikTok Icon

Copyright © 2023 West Coast Traveller and · All Rights Reserved