"Let Their Spirit Soar" is a memorial statue carved by Kamloops artist, carver and graphic designer Vaughn Warren.
Image Credit: FACBOOK
October 18, 2021 - 6:00 AM
A carved wooden statue embodying a powerful message and symbolic meaning was unveiled at the newly built Skeetchestn Health Centre in Savona earlier this month.
The statue, called Let Their Spirit Soar, is a memorial piece and symbol of hope for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and LGBTQ2S+ individuals.
The artist behind the original piece is Vaughn Warren, a carver, air brusher and graphic artist who lives in Kamloops.
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The carved helical design includes the form of a gender-neutral warrior striking a decorated drum with a powerful drumstick, sounding the alarm, calling for justice and rallying the spirits of the living and dead with an honour song.
The flowing braids of the warrior symbolizes the resilience and strength of those affected. The flowing front of the figure references the Red Dress and abstractly becomes water as it spirals to the earth where, at the foundation, water and earth are joined in sacred union.
The warrior is supported within the wing of a fierce eagle who empowers the warrior and all who are missing by lifting their spirits.
The statue was unveiled at the Big Sky Station in Savona one day after the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day made to honour the lost children and survivors of residential schools, their families and communities.
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The sculpture was created through a collaboration of Warren’s unique style and Skeetchesn Indian Band Elders, youth, staff and community input as well as other stakeholders, artists and donors. It was made possible through funding from the MMIW&G Commemorative Fund and Women and Gender Equality Canada.
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