Stand Contracting

Layers.

Some quiet moments as this 3.5 year project comes to a close.

We’ve been building an estate on a small island in Ganges harbour, Salt Spring Island for the past three years. Throughout the process, we’ve done our best to engage in meaningful consultation with local First Nations, whether during excavation or the installation of our dock. This has been a enriching experience, and it all came to a peak this past Thursday when we helped raise a totem pole we commissioned from 

Bear lives on the Tsawout First Nation, a Nation we consulted with extensively on the permitting of our dock. He was joined by his friend, Scott Sam of the Tsartlip First Nation, who blessed the pole. Many members of Tsawout staff and council also attended to witness the raising and blessing of Bear’s pole.

To have the honour of raising Bear’s pole while working to the rhythm of Scott Sam’s drumming and singing was deeply powerful. It was a vivid reminder of the richness of Tsawout and W̱SÁNEĆ culture.

The W̱SÁNEĆ people have used the waters around Saanich and the Gulf Islands since time immemorial. The next time you boat or fly into Ganges, look toward the southeast tip of Goat Island for the Raven standing on the Beaver’s shoulders. Take a moment to reflect on the long history of the W̱SÁNEĆ people and to admire Coast Salish art.

I am eternally grateful to have been given the gift of this experience. It’s the hope of all involved that this pole starts a conversation with visitors to Ganges about Indigenous culture, rights, and their legacy in Coastal British Columbia.

Projects of this scale require collaboration from many trade partners. We’re so grateful for everyone involved.
vancouver

Boat house:
Standing seam roof, half round gutters, fir soffit, corrugated siding, birch plywood, and marine lights.

There's no such thing as too many clamps.

⭐️ The Before and After ⭐️
After two years of accessing our remote job without a dock this is a welcomed sight. Thank you to Tsawout First Nation for working with us on the licensing and approval to get it in place.

Pouring concrete on a water access site is challenging. It takes a lot of coordination with multiple trade partners, and a bit of luck.

Thank you to:
Thorburn Concrete
Mercury Launch & Tug
Gulf Coast Concrete

Barging 1000 LF of concrete yesterday.