Project Description

The life-sized, bronze, Father Pandosy Mission 150th Anniversary Commemorative Sculpture references Charles Marie Pandosy's contributions to establishing the first Euro-Canadian settlement in the Okanagan, as well as his pioneering role in planting the first orchard and vineyard in the valley. Pandosy educated and encouraged settlers towards agriculture in what became known as our abundant, fertile valley, renowned for fruit and wine.

The figure of Pandosy holds a pruning that roots into the ground, symbolizing his role in establishing the settlement and agriculture in the valley. He is featured “walking” on the earth, into the wind. Pandosy's wind-blown robe features a frieze of imagery communicating important aspects of Syilx/Okanagan First Nation culture. This imagery was developed through communication with Westbank First Nation, and consists of the Four Food Chiefs: Black Bear, Salmon, Bitter Root and Saskatoon, as well as Coyote. These represent spiritual aspects of local First Nation culture, as well as representing (in the case of the Food Chiefs) traditional food sources. Sen'Klip represents the spiritual teacher of the Syilx. These images attempt to provide balance and Syilx culture perspective in regards to the European cultural elements represented in the commemorative work. The wind-blown composition symbolizes, in part, the cultural turbulence that occurred with settlement.

The work is a portrait and a contemplation of this influential man and time. It was created with the consideration that this era in history meant different things to the different peoples involved, and that our vantage point now, looking back on time, is different than viewpoints held then. The artist's goal was to capture Pandosy’s depth of character, acknowledging his contributions to agriculture and Euro-Canadian history, while at the same time providing an entry point into the important contemplation of the impact of settlement on the culture of the Okanagan (Syilx) peoples, who have been on this land for many thousands of years.

The creative collaboration established with Westbank First Nation was an integral aspect of this project, to help provide Okanagan First Nation imagery and cultural perspective for the work and accompanying plaque.

The life-sized, sculpture original was created by the artist in the Alternator Gallery's Studio 111 in the Rotary Centre for the Arts between January 2011 and January 2012.

Drawings and a model of the sculpture were unveiled at the 150th Anniversary Event at the Pandosy Mission site, August 7, 2010. A special presentation by Westbank First Nation welcomed the public and officials to this event.

The public unveiling of the final, life-sized, bronze sculpture at the Father Pandosy Mission Heritage Site in Kelowna, BC, was held May 26, 2012.

After the unveiling of the Father Pandosy Mission 150th Anniversary Commemorative Sculpture, Crystal Przybille was commissioned by Westbank First Nation to create a sculpture of an important contemporary to Father Pandosy, Chief Swkncut. The Chief Swkncut Monument was unveiled in Kelowna on National Indigenous People's Day, 2019. https://www.wfn.ca/news/swkncut.htm