Oak Bay and Songhees celebrate wolf sculpture at Cattle Point

A ceremony to mark the installation of the sculpture of a wolf that lived for many years on Chatham (Stsnaang) and Discovery (Skingeenis) islands — together called Tl’ches by the Songhees Nation — was held recently at Cattle Point in Oak Bay.

The wolf, known as (Staqeya), received widespread media coverage and caught the public’s imagination before being caught while wandering in James Bay and moved near Port Renfrew.

He was killed by a hunter in 2020.

Ken Laforme created the marble sculpture, called

The Soul of a Wolf. A circular opening in the sculpture gives a view of the islands where the wolf lived.

“The Songhees Nation is honoured to see the sculpture of being raised in Oak Bay,” said Songhees Chief Ron Sam. “represents a great leader for the Nation, the late Chief Robert Sam. Due to the arrival of the wolf to Tl’ches days after his passing, as a community, we felt as if this was our late chief returning to watch over and protect us.”

“Chief Sam led by example and fought for our people, with a focus to our future generations. This sculpture is more than an art piece — it represents the unwavering strength of a great chief.”

Oak Bay Mayor Kevin Murdoch said that the sculpture “will help bring the important story of and our natural surroundings to residents and visitors alike. “The district looks forward to honouring this important sculpture alongside the Songhees Nation.”

Cattle Point has been identified by Oak Bay Parks and experts on native endangered plants as a site to be used as “a natural and accessible gallery,” the District of Oak Bay said.

The second annual Langford Bikefest is set for

Oct. 21-22 at the Jordie Lunn Bike Park.

Jordie Lunn was an accomplished cyclist who died in 2019 after suffering a head injury while trail riding in Mexico. The bike park that bears his name was opened in 2021.

The Wheelhouse Cycling Society has partnered with the City of Langford in announcing the bikefest, which will include both enduro and cyclocross races.

The Live Like Jordie Enduro takes place Oct. 21 and the Broad Street Cycles Cyclocross Grand Prix is on Oct. 22.

Also on the schedule is the Cycling B.C. Hop On Expo for Kids for children aged three to 12, which has free drop-in skills and games sessions.

Bikes and helmets will be available to borrow, provided by Cycling B.C.

“Events like this help highlight Langford as an exciting mountain biking and cycling destination,” said Langford Mayor Scott Goodmanson. “It also brings awareness and inspires youth to try a new activity, and makes biking more accessible for residents and visitors of all ages and abilities.”

He said he is looking forward to the upcoming completion of the Jordie Lunn Clubhouse, a 5,000-square-foot community facility that will complete the bike-park project. The clubhouse will feature a bike shop, a café, and office space for Cycling B.C. and Cycling Canada.

The bikefest is being supported by the Greater Victoria Sport Tourism Commission, which is dedicated to bringing sport-related events and activities to Greater Victoria.

“The Langford Bikefest at the Jordie Lunn Bike Park is the crown jewel event to showcase off-road cycling in the Greater Victoria area,” said commission executive director Keith Wells. “We are especially looking forward to the grand opening of the Jordie Lunn Bike Park Clubhouse, which is an exceptional facility that will draw so many visitors to the area for years to come.”

The bikefest is being directed by Panache Cycling Sports, and is backed by Nolan Riding, the South Island Mountain Bike Society and Cycling B.C.

• To participate or volunteer, register at langfordbikefest.com.