Two community members were recognized recently at the bi-annual “Honouring our Elders” legacy project at Smithers Secondary.
The bi-annual presentation began ten years ago, where high school students honoured one Wet’suwet’en and one non-Wet’suwet’en elder with a painted portrait. The goal is to bridge the two communities, and age groups, together.
This year’s portraits were of Lucy Bazil Verigin and former Smithers Mayor Jim Davidson, who were noticed for their work in the community.
SSS Art Teacher Perry Rath said they had a pleasant surprise at the unveiling.
“Lucy and Jim have known each other from way back, so they knew each other when they were much younger. There [are] connections between those two families which we weren’t aware of when these elders were first selected,” he says.
Rath chose two grade 12 students were chosen to paint these portraits. Morgan Macaulay did Verigin’s, Cassidy Muir did Davidson’s.
Photos submitted to MooseFM by Perry Rath.