The long-awaited unveiling of Shq’apthut (Gathering Place) took place before an appreciative crowd at Waterwheel Park on Saturday.
Artist Maynard Johnny Jr. explained the significance of the design and added some candid comments along the way.
Five years in the design, construction and installation phases, Shq’apthut sits in an area that was important for Indigenous people in the time before the arrival of European settlers and the establishment of a mill on the site.
“This area was a Heron nesting ground before contact and that is the design on the right and on the left side a male Salmon head on top and a female Salmon head on bottom,” explained Johnny. 
“In the middle a Salmon egg with a non-connecting labret as we don’t know what it will be until it is born. The cross beam is a male Eagle on the left and a female Eagle on the right to have balance amongst man and woman, the people, the animals and Mother Earth.”
The project was managed and funded by the Chemainus Festival of Murals Society, with financial, technical, and logistical support from the Municipality of North Cowichan, Island Coastal Economic Trust, Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society, Penelakut Tribe, Rotary Club of Chemainus, BC Marble Products Ltd., and Cowichan Valley Regional District.
After explaining the significance of the sculpture that is 3.5 metres high by 5.9 metres wide and serves as a gateway through Waterwheel Park to the old town section of Chemainus, Johnny acknowledged that “this is a positive day and a great step forward” but there were other things that needed to be stated.
“To have something represent my people in my territory, for my youth to be able to see it is really cool,” he commented.
“They can be inspired by what can be done with our work, with our talent with our art. But I feel I wouldn’t be doing my job with the platform I have as an artist unless I touch on really prevalent issues as Indigenous people today.
“One being residential schools. Four years since 215 (unmarked graves) have been uncovered. Nothing has been done. Nobody has been held accountable,” Johnny said.
“As an Indigenous person today, with the Indian Act, I own my house, I own my land, I can’t use it as equity. I want to build an art studio. I can’t use my house to get a loan so I can build an art studio.
“Murdered and missing Indigenous women. It’s been shown that the RCMP and government are negligent in finding our missing and murdered indigenous women.
“I talk at universities, various organizatins, and they ask what (Indigenous) people want. Indigenous people want action.
“This is a positive step forward but we need action. A beautiful piece of art is one step, let’s keep moving forward. Let’s keep moving towards reconciliation.”
