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August 2017: Peace tree planted outside Athlone Court

Oak Bay High student enjoys golden summer at North American Indigenous Games
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While biking to work Friday morning just before 7 a.m. reader Greg Fanning, came across this family of deer, right on the beach at low tide, near the Oak Bay Marina. ‘The sunrise, haze, heat and smoke made for some very interesting lighting,’ he said. Send your reader photos to editor@oakbaynews.com. (Greg Fanning photo)

The Oak Bay Marina celebrated 55 years in the Oak Bay community by inviting everyone to its inaugural Our Home Port Open House. The event on Turkey Head Walkway featured boating skills demonstrations, kids activities, a barbecue, live music and demonstrations by local artists.

The heartiest of 19 ginkgo tree saplings in Oak Bay’s stock set root outside Athlone Court after a special ceremony.

Mayor of Oak Bay Nils Jensen planted the tree alongside the last living Canadian survivor of Nagasaki, Rudi Hoenson, who was a prisoner of war in Nagasaki when the bomb was dropped – and Jonathan Dowd, a member of Physicians for Global Survival and the Vancouver Island Peace and Disarmament Network.

Resilience of the People exhibit came to Oak Bay. The visual history Lekwungen/Songhees people filled municipal hall. Originally launched at the Bateman Centre, the exhibit covers a visual history of what is now Greater Victoria, the Songhees First Nation’s traditional territory. The exhibit contains engaging maps and historical and contemporary photographs of the Songhees people.

Summer 2017 was a golden one for Ariel Schellenberger. The Oak Bay High athlete earned gold with Team BC’s U16 soccer team at this summer’s North America Indigenous Games.

Ariel’s been playing soccer since she was five or six years-old, participating in both club and school teams, and finds it a key element to personal and mental health.

“It’s an escape from whatever your mind is on,” she says. “You’re just worrying about the moment you’re in and you’re being present.”

Athletics are part of her everyday world. She was part of the Oak Bay High rugby team that won the previous two provincial championships. When she heads back to Oak Bay High this fall, she’ll again join the volleyball, soccer and track and field teams as well.

She shared her golden summer with cousins Rayn Cook Thomas (Vic High) and Braden Nelson (Mt. Doug Secondary) who won gold with U16 boys team.

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