Indigenous artist Jeanine Chipps’ design makes up a new decal celebrating the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in the City of Langford.
The new decal, released on Feb. 21, incorporates colours of the rainbow to reflect the Progress Pride flag, while it also uses Chipps’s traditional Coast Salish art style.
“Both the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and the Indigenous community have been through hard times and have proven to be resilient throughout whatever is placed in front of them. I find so much joy because I can unite them within a symbol of love,” said Chipps.
Worked into the decal is the image of a turtle and the artist said Coast Salish culture includes plenty of examples of turtles carrying the world on their backs.
“Safety, longevity and stability are also important symbolic attributes that are related to the turtle, which I thought are essential when building and maintaining a community like Langford,” said Chipps.
In 2020, the city launched “I am Langford” to bring businesses and residents together after the COVID-19 lockdowns. The new decal adds to that work, Mayor Scott Goodmanson said in a press release.
“The goal of the campaign is to create safe and inclusive spaces within the community and provide a visual tool to the business community to create a welcoming space for everyone,” said Goodmanson.
The decals will be sent to businesses around Langford and can be picked up for free at city hall.
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