New ‘Welcome to Port Alberni’ Sign Anchors Authentic Wayfinding

Port Alberni, BC – On March 5, 2025, City of Port Alberni staff with the help of local contractors will erect the long-awaited ‘Welcome to Port Alberni’ sign on city-owned land at the corner of Highway 4 and John Street, adjacent to the Walmart parking lot.

“This welcome sign has been on the city’s agenda for years and with the help of local First Nations, contractors and artists it has finally become a reality,” said Sharie Minions, mayor of Port Alberni.

The design of the sign first came about as part of a call for concepts which launched in 2020. The callout invited artists, students and community members to submit renderings or conceptual drawings of what they thought the sign should look like. The selected art was a submission put forward by long-time local, Susan Roth. Susan’s submission included layered trees with shadowing, a bear and simple words welcoming visitors and locals alike to Port Alberni. “The inspiration for the design came from the tall evergreen trees, wildlife, and mountains that surround our beautiful town,” said Susan Roth. “I feel honoured that my work was chosen as the foundational art for such an important project,” concluded Susan.

With a concept in hand, the city welcomed the participation of local Nations to build on the piece by incorporating Indigenous elements, creating a more fulsome reflection of the community as a whole. Connie Watts, a mixed media artist, interior designer and project manager, was the selected artist in consultation with both Tseshaht [c̓išaaʔatḥ] and Hupačasath First Nations.

“I was inspired by the historical connections and contemporary experiences of our Nations to our land,” said Connie Watts. “Starting with the wind to water elements connecting the feeling of the valley where the ocean inlet meets with the Tsuma-as (Somass) River. Connecting the wind and water design is the thunderbird, whale and salmon, all powerful animals for Nuu-chah-nulth. And at the base of the sign, you will see a bear with her cubs which represent the families in our valley and our most important gift, the children,” concluded Connie.

As part of the city’s path to reconciliation, and to acknowledge the traditional lands of local Nations, the foundation of the sign is adorned with a formal land acknowledgement of the unceded traditional territories of Tseshaht [c̓išaaʔatḥ] and Hupačasath First Nations.

With installation on the horizon the city wants to thank the many local businesses and community members that came together to help make this project a success:

• Bowerman Construction Ltd.
• Bowmark Concrete Ltd.
• Calico Transport
• Connie Watts
• Coastal Bridge and Construction Ltd.
• DBA Silencing
• Herold Engineering Ltd.
• John McClelland
• KFM Traffic Solutions
• McGill & Associates Engineering Ltd.
• Roc-star Enterprises Ltd.
• Susan Roth
• Timber Rose Ventures Ltd.
• Walmart
• Warbrick Contracting Ltd.

As a result of the community kindness shown throughout the development and production of this sign, the City is happy to report that the project came in at the estimated $40,000 with allocated funds coming from the Reserves ($25,000) and Reconciliation Fund ($15,000).

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Communications, City of Port Alberni
communications@portalberni.ca
Office: 250.720.2826