As President of the Vancouver Island Trail Association, I was delighted to attend a ceremony with the District of Oak Bay and the Songhees Nation to honour the sculpture of the wolf stqéyə (Staqeya), installed at Cattle Point in Oak Bay, Vancouver Island on Thursday, October 5, 2023.
The Soul of the Wolf sculpture, was created by stone sculptor Kent Laforme. It honours Staqeya, the wolf who spent much of his life off the coast of Oak Bay on Songhees Nation lands known as Chatham (Stsnaang) and Discovery (Skingeenis) islands. The Songhees Nation felt Staqeya was their late Chief Ron Sam returning to watch over and protect them. The impressive artwork stands as a memorial to honour the wolf Staqeya. The Vancouver Island Trail starts in Oak Bay at Anderson Hill. Hikers will pass this incredible sculpture as they set out on their journey to hike the trail and pass through Cattle Point.