The beautiful and vibrant artwork of Songhees First Nation Elder Clarence “Butch” Dick (Yux’wey’lupton) has transformed a BC Transit bus in Victoria into a moving expression of culture, identity, resilience and community connection.
The artwork draws on traditional Lək̓ʷəŋən stories connected to the lands and waters of the west coast. At the heart of the design is a traditional Lək̓ʷəŋən origin story.
“Lək̓ʷəŋən Peoples are wolf people, and most Coast Salish people are wolf people,” said Songhees First Nation Elder Butch Dick. “Our origin story is that there was a pod of whales swimming in a circle in a bay, and as they broke for shore they transformed into sea wolves. And once they hit the shore they turned into wolves of all different colours and then established villages along the coast.”
Elder Butch Dick is an internationally renowned carver, artist, educator and knowledge sharer whose work has built connections between people, cultures and communities. Butch has spent decades sharing Indigenous art, culture, and teachings through education, curriculum development and language revitalization. A passionate educator, he taught Indigenous art in Greater Victoria schools for 25 years, inspiring generations of young people to explore creativity, culture and identity.
“It’s exciting as an artist to be involved in this project. I hope people will talk about it, because I believe art is a conduit to understanding. To carry a gift as an artist is a gift from the Creator. This is a gift that requires constant nourishment. A gift is not a gift unless it is shared.”
Elder Dick collaborated with a group of BC Transit employees,including the organization’s Indigenous Relations Manager and a graphic designer who incorporated Butch’s original artwork and language into a bus design that captures the beauty and integrity of his work. Through storytelling and powerful imagery, the bus invites riders and community members to learn, reflect and build understanding.
This heavy-duty electric bus has already entered service in the Victoria Regional Transit System and will operate on several routes throughout the region for the foreseeable future. Additional information is available on board the bus about the meaning behind the design, along with the life and background of the artist.
“BC Transit was honoured to work with Elder Butch Dick and share his extraordinary artwork through this bus design,” said Erinn Pinkerton, BC Transit’s President and CEO. “Public transit connects people and communities, and this bus offers a unique opportunity to celebrate local Indigenous culture and storytelling while encouraging learning, reflection and connection across our region. We are grateful to Elder Dick for sharing his artistry and knowledge and helping advance our ongoing journey of reconciliation.”
September 30 is Orange Shirt Day, and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Orange ribbons will be displayed on bus mirrors in Victoria and beyond, and some Operators may wear orange shirts to show support. BC Transit honours the resilience, strength, and voices of Indigenous Peoples. We recognize that this day is not only one of reflection and learning, but also to honour and remember those who did not make it home, survivors, intergenerational survivors, and their families and communities.
To learn more about the Indigenous bus design and the work and life of Elder Clarence “Butch” Dick (Yux’wey’lupton), please visit: bctransit.com/indigenous-bus-design/.
More information about the significance of Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is available here: https://trw-svr.nctr.ca/.
Media Contacts
BC Transit Communications
media@bctransit.com
