The Northern Sea Wolf art. (BC Ferries).
The Indigenous artwork that will adorn British Columbia’s new vessel, the Northern Sea Wolf, was unveiled on Friday.
The designs were selected by the First Peoples’ Cultural Council and were chosen for their artistic excellence, style and ability to express the vessel name through the work.
The artists who created the designs are Kwakiutl First Nation’s Richard Hunt and Nuxalk Nation’s Danika Naccarella. Their artwork be displayed on the interior and exterior of the vessel for customers to view. There will also be profiles of the artists.
“Today is just like opening a present because everyone gets to celebrate it with me and it’s such a beautiful way of bringing our culture to a new platform,” Narccarella said.
Danika Naccarella with her family in front of her artwork for the Northern Sea Wolf on Nov. 23, 2018.
Hunt said he is proud to represent the people of Fort Rupert in his piece.
“That’s the main crest of our village then there’s the sea raven, the sea wolf, sea bear and sea eagle. Their all property of the chief of the ocean. It’s his family,” Hunt said.
Richard Hunt in front of his artwork for the Northern Sea Wolf on Nov. 23, 2018. (BC Ferries).
The unveiling ceremony took place in downtown Victoria.
“Having the energy and culture of First Nations so close to our operational day helps our organization understand the people we serve all the better,” B.C. Ferries CEO and President Mark Collins.
The Northern Sea Wolf was slated to begin direct service between Bella Coola and Port Hardy last summer but delays in refitting the ferry, which formerly operated in Greece, took longer than expected. The vessel is now expected to begin operating on the route in Spring 2019.
The Northern Sea Wolf. (BC Ferries)
The Northern Sea Wolf. (BC Ferries)
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