Indigenous signage aims to make B.C. legislature more inclusive, accepting

By Dirk Meissner THE CANADIAN PRESS VICTORIA- British Columbia’s legislature, described as the province’s symbol of colonialism, now has a series of Indigenous language signs with seven messages about ancestors, warriors, settlers and children permanently bolted to the building’s stone sidewalk perimeter. Messages written in the Lekwungen Indigenous language and English were unveiled Wednesday at an outdoor ceremony at the 125-year-old building, attended by Indigenous leaders, Premier David Eby and members of the New Democrat, BC United, Green and Conservative parties. Esquimalt Nation Elder Mary Ann Thomas, accompanied by drummer Charlie George of the B.C. Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres, walked slowly beside the signs, stopping to bless them with prayers and sprinkles of eagle down. “This building is the largest symbol of colonialism in B.C.,” said Speaker of the legislature…

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