A family of bears, a salmon and the Indigenous Thunderbird symbol now adorn a Sooke Fire Department truck, thanks to the creative work of two T’Sou-ke artists.
Designed by Shelley Davies and Isabelle St. Pierre, the two designs represent the role of the fire service in the T’Sou-ke Nation and Sooke communities.
When Davies heard the fire department had invited T’Sou-ke artists to submit their work for consideration, she was instantly drawn to the story of the Thunderbird for inspiration.
"The story goes that there was a long drought and the people called upon the Thunderbird for help as they were starving and couldn't grow anything," says Davies. "And he came and clapped his wings, and from his wings came lightning and rain and thunder."
“The Thunderbird is called upon when people are in great need,” she adds. “Just like we call upon the firefighters to come help us when we're in the greatest need.”
Alongside Davies’ Thunderbird are the words SCINONET and CENANET, meaning strength and protection, which the artist feels mirrors the fire service's ethos.
A mother bear, her two cubs and a salmon are depicted in St. Pierre’s design, which she says is reflective of the relationship between the fire service and the community.
“The salmon is representative of the T’So-uke Nation people, as we are deemed the salmon people,” she said. “So I used the salmon as a way to convey the commitment from the fire department to the nation.”
The two cubs portray the Sooke community, says St. Pierre, with the mother bear offering a “maternal protection."
“So the mother has its back towards the babies because it is trying to provide as well as ensure the babies’ survival,” she adds.
The relationship between the salmon and the bear also has meaning for the artist, who is currently studying sociology and film in Ontario.
"The salmon provides nutrients and food for the bear, who then helps provide to the land with the remains of the salmon," says St. Pierre. "So everything in this system is helping each other, just like the fire department is intending to do."
For both artists, this is not the first time their work has been selected for use in the community.
St. Pierre created the logo for Ecole Poirier Elementary School while Davies, inspired by the traditional Salish calendar, most recently designed seasonal banners that will adorn the streets of Sooke in 2025.
“I feel proud to represent my nation in being able to bring my art and the stories from our nation to Sooke district,” said Davies. “It was such an honour and a blessing to be able to do this – it kind of feels like a crowning achievement for me.”
“Being able to see my art shown in the community is really cool,” said St. Pierre. “It’s so indescribable … it’s just super crazy.”
Plans are now in the works for a blessing ceremony for the recently decorated fire truck, which will take place in the near future.
