Cowichan canoe builder, Francis Wilson, is guiding Indigenous trades students through the process of creating paddles with designs reflecting Camosun College's strategic priorities.
Students from Camosun's Indigenous Peoples in Trades Training program are applying their new carpentry skills by preparing the red and yellow cedar paddles for the designs. The artwork, created by Camosun alum and Coast Dylan Thomas and featured on the six priorities of the Strategic Plan 2023-2028, will be stenciled onto the blades of the paddles at a later date.
"It's been amazing to work with these students and see them apply what they've learned in the trades classroom," says Francis. "I've watched their confidence in their new skills grow every day, and they've become more proud of their culture, too."
