Camosun College’s “Totem 2.0” project, which uses technology to enable sustainable totem carving with second-growth cedar, won a prestigious Land Award in the Land Use and Conservation category on July 16, 2026. Developed in collaboration with renowned Kwakwaka’wakw and Coast Salish artist Carey Newman (Nulis) and Pacific Opera Victoria, the initiative bridges traditional Indigenous art practices with modern engineering solutions to preserve old-growth forests.
Totem 2.0: Engineering Meets Indigenous Tradition
The Totem 2.0 project addresses a critical environmental challenge: the scarcity of old-growth cedar. By utilizing an innovative apparatus, the project allows carvers to work with multiple beams of sustainable second-growth cedar instead of rare old-growth logs, enabling totem pole carving without restricting cultural carving practices. The apparatus was originally imagined by Carey Newman, who also serves as a UVic Impact Chair.
The development team included Newman, mechanical engineering students, and staff from Camosun Innovates. The project was funded by a CCSIF grant. According to the college, the mechanism allows for carvers to work with multiple beams, transforming a creative dream into a tangible device and practical process that can be shared with other First Nations carvers and communities.
“This project was equal parts challenging and fulfilling. Working with Camosun Innovates and Pacific Opera Victoria, we were able to transform a creative dream into a tangible device and practical process that we can share with other First Nations carvers and communities,” noted Newman in a news release. “The idea of seeing other artists use the Totem 2.0 process is pretty exciting. Hopefully, this Land Award will help to draw their attention to it.”
Expanding Trades Training Partnerships
Additionally, the college has collaborated with Vancouver Island University (VIU) on an Indigenous Peoples in Trades Training (IPTT) initiative. Sponsored by the Province of BC and the Industry Training Authority BC (ITA), the program will provide almost $1.4 million over two years to provide exploratory trades skills foundations courses to 160 participants. The program creates an opportunity for Indigenous learners to explore hands-on experiences in more than 25 trades fields, including carpentry, plumbing, welding, and hairstyling.
“VIU has a national reputation for supporting Indigenous learners,” says Glynis Steen, Dean of VIU’s Faculty of Trades and Applied Technology. “We are committed to responding to the educational and community development needs of the First Nations communities we serve and one of the goals in our strategic plan is to close the gap for skills training for Indigenous peoples.”
Sustainability Milestones Across Campus
The college’s focus on sustainability extends to campus infrastructure. On Earth Day, April 22, 2026, Camosun’s Office of Sustainability highlighted the first anniversary of the “Array of Hope” solar energy generation from the rooftop installation at the Lansdowne Library. In its first year of operation, the system produced 49.2 megawatt hours (MWh) of clean electricity, surpassing the initial target of 46 MWh annually.
This achievement helped avoid approximately 35.1 tonnes of CO₂ emissions and resulted in an estimated $8,900 in electricity cost savings based on average hydro rates. The Array of Hope serves as a learning resource, offering students and the broader community an opportunity to explore renewable energy and climate action.
The campus also maintains the Na’tsa’maht Indigenous plant garden, where Employment Training and Preparation (ETP) students have mentored with the Facilities Services Grounds team for over 10 years to learn about, care for, and honour the garden. These efforts represent a commitment to integrating environmental stewardship with academic and community-based initiatives.
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