The Community Association of Oak Bay welcomes Oak Bay residents to join in on four community-led walks in Oak Bay this coming weekend inspired by urban writer and community advocate Jane Jacobs. The walks cover four prominent areas and themes in the region and will be led by volunteers Jan Mears, Rick Marshall, Sharman Minus and Mike Stacey.
Stacey leads the first walk of the weekend with a visit to two of eight First Nations monuments in the Oak Bay region. Stacey will distribute a brochure on all eight of the monuments to the group and Mayor Nils Jensen will be present to greet guests of the tour. Stacey thanks the mayor, artist Marion Cumming and Songhees nation artist Butch Dick for help with brochure creation.
“I think it’s important to raise awareness about the culture that was here and still exists here in Oak Bay. These monuments are windows into what came before us and what exists with us now,” Stacey said. He added that there are two different ways of analyzing First Nations history: the Western scientific method and the traditional oral method. “Both come together to form the knowledge we have today.”
Stacey will lead the group down to Turkey Head [Spewhung] to view a plaque monument and shortly after the group will visit Willows Beach [Sitchanalth]. Stacey will go over the midden in Turkey Head, the First Nations people who lived at Willows Beach, as well as the history of the Chatham Islands and the traditional lifestyles of First Nations people in each area.
Monuments to First Nations Culture &History
Time: 10:00 a.m., Saturday, May 6
Location: Oak Bay Municipal Hall, 2167 Oak Bay Avenue
Length: 2 hours
Oak Bay Vanishes
Jan Mears walks residents through their own neighbourhoods and shows the impact smaller-to-larger home transitions have on green space and older homes in Oak Bay.
Time: 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 6
Location: Demitasse Cafe, 2164 McNeil Avenue
Length: 1.5 hours
Early Settlers
Rick Marshall explores mid-19th century farm settlements owned by John Tod, J S Bowker and Alexis Casanave.
Time: 10:00 a.m., Sunday, May 7
Location: Sno’uyutth Welcome Pole, Oak Bay High, 2121 Cadboro Bay Road
Length: two hours
Mansions &Cottages
Sharman Minus tours early 20th century heritage homes designed by famous architects such as Rattenbury, Tiarks and Maclure.
Time: 2:00 p.m., Sunday May 7
Location: Haynes Park, Beach Drive, north of Beresford Place
Length: 1.5 hours