News release

For immediate release

Participate in Laying Flowers with Rain Cabana-Boucher

Saanich, BC – The District of Saanich and Artist-in-Residence Rain Cabana-Boucher invite you to participate in Laying Flowers, a community art project based in community healing as a response to residential school uncoverings. The project will run at the Cedar Hill Recreation and Arts Centre Main Gallery and the Victoria Native Friendship Centre (VNFC) through November 14.

The Artist-in-Community Residency is a Community Services Division pilot program, focusing on diversity and inclusion and supporting Saanich’s commitments towards addressing racism and moving forward towards Indigenous Truth and Reconciliation imperatives. The goal of selected artist Rain Cabana-Boucher’s residency is to transform what started as an individual project into a community project, where many hands and communities create and hold daisies in remembrance and honour of the children who have been found, those who will be, and those who will not be found. It is an expression of collective grief and healing for everyone involved.

The artist is holding weekly beading sessions for Indigenous community members at the VNFC. Community members are beading daisies for each of the gravesite discoveries as they are revealed and adding them to the gallery at Cedar Hill. She will also be beading at Cedar Hill for visitors to witness and connect with her and the project. Indigenous community members who would like to bead daisies or learn how to bead at either location can contact Brenda Weatherston.

While the beading portion is reserved for Indigenous communities, the artist is also facilitating a collaborative mural panel that is open to all.

“I aim to create an inclusive residency,” said Rain Cabana-Boucher. “The mural will create participation, inclusion, long-lasting awareness and invite educational dialogues in a public space. A diverse range of people from all backgrounds and ages can participate in painting the mural. This will be a chance for everyone to share their grief and respect.”

How and when you can contribute

• Community members are invited to drop in and contribute to the mural in the gallery on Fridays from 1 to 4:30 p.m. on October 22, 29 and November 5, and Saturday, October 30 from 1 to 4:30 p.m.
• Beading takes place for Indigenous community members at the VNFC on Mondays and Thursdays, and at Cedar Hill during the mural times listed above.
• Other days, times and off-site opportunities for individuals or groups to contribute to beading or the mural may be added. Contact Brenda Weatherston to request.

Learn more

Visit the Laying Flowers project page saanich.ca/layingflowers and the events calendar for more information.

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Media contact:
Brenda Weatherston
Community Arts Programmer
brenda.weatherston@saanich.ca
250-475-5557