“During the pandemic, we all worked together to install bilingual Hul’q’umi’num’ and English street signs on seven streets in the downtown core as an example of reconciliation in action,” explains Amanda Vance, Executive Director of the Cowichan Intercultural Society. “That project was an act of solidarity in response to news that some businesses were refusing to serve Cowichan members due to Covid-19 cases on reserve. We hope that this new project will further increase the comfort of Cowichan Tribes members in downtown Duncan.”

The Nanum ‘Iyus Tth’ele mural project came together as partners in the Hul’q’umi’num’ Signage Project went on walks together through downtown.

“I remember the first time the group of Elders working on this project walked around town with us sharing stories of places where they were segregated, others that were unwelcoming, and those that still are unwelcoming. Then they began to speak about their hope for the future and the importance of us working together to build that future. The murals reflect that hope for the future and our commitment to building it together,” stated City of Duncan Mayor Michelle Staples.