This stunning Indigenous-designed bus is now travelling around Victoria (PHOTOS)

Victoria commuters may notice a striking new work of art travelling through the region.

BC Transit has unveiled a specially designed electric bus featuring vibrant artwork by Songhees First Nation Elder Clarence “Butch” Dick, also known as Yux’wey’lupton.

Now in service on various routes throughout Greater Victoria, the bus has been transformed into a moving expression of Lək̓ʷəŋən culture, identity and resilience.

At the heart of the design is a traditional origin story connecting the Lək̓ʷəŋən Peoples to the lands and waters of the west coast.

“Lək̓ʷəŋən Peoples are wolf people, and most Coast Salish people are wolf people,” Elder Dick explained.

“Our origin story is that there was a pod of whales swimming in a circle in a bay, and as they broke for shore they transformed into sea wolves. And once they hit the shore they turned into wolves of all different colours and then established villages along the coast.”

Elder Dick is an internationally recognized artist, carver, educator and knowledge keeper.

For 25 years, he taught Indigenous art in Greater Victoria schools and has dedicated decades to sharing culture and teachings through art, education, curriculum development and language revitalization.

For him, the bus offers another way to share that knowledge with the community.

“It’s exciting as an artist to be involved in this project,” said Elder Dick. “I hope people will talk about it, because I believe art is a conduit to understanding.”

“A gift is not a gift unless it is shared.”

The design was created through a collaboration between Elder Dick and BC Transit employees, including the organization’s Indigenous relations manager and a graphic designer who incorporated his original artwork and language into the finished bus.

Information displayed inside the bus allows passengers to learn more about the imagery, the story behind the design and Elder Dick’s life and work.

“Public transit connects people and communities, and this bus offers a unique opportunity to celebrate local Indigenous culture and storytelling while encouraging learning, reflection and connection across our region,” said BC Transit president and CEO Erinn Pinkerton.

The heavy-duty electric bus will remain in service throughout the Victoria Regional Transit System for the foreseeable future, meaning riders can expect to spot it on several routes across the region.

The unveiling also comes ahead of Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th.

BC Transit will display orange ribbons on bus mirrors in Victoria and other communities, while some operators may wear orange shirts in recognition of residential school survivors, their families and those who never returned home.

So, the next time you are waiting at a bus stop, keep an eye out. One of Greater Victoria’s newest public artworks could be coming down the road.