An extensively revamped affordable housing complex on Tetrault Street unveiled June 11 highlighted by the installation of two new art pieces.
The complex has also been given an official name, Bevan Place, after Mel Bevan who was a strong voice for Indigenous housing through Muks-Kum-Ol Housing, the society that built the residence. Bevan died last fall.
That society, founded in 1992, was eventually phased out and the building now comes under M'akola Housing, a province-wide Indigenous housing agency.
M'akola, along with the the provincial Aboriginal Management Housing Association, spent $4 million on alterations and additions to the building such as landscaping, foundation enhancements, site drainage, a new exterior envelope, new roof, stairs, lighting, gazebos, pathways and sheds.
Heat pumps have replaced gas furnaces and gas hot water tanks at the 22-unit complex.
The entrance artwork was designed by Shawna Kiesman.
"For the design, the wolf was chosen by the community because we are on the traditional territory of the Kitsumkalum Laxyibuu clan. I wanted to create them as pillars, welcoming the people, looking up proudly to support them. The mountains and river behind the Laxyibuu reflect the beautiful Skeena Valley where Bevan Place is situated," she explained.
The second artwork is a three-storey Ombrae artwork designed by Stan Bevan, Mel's son.
"This piece is very hitting because I wanted to include a bear and the title of it is 'The Welcome.' It is the bear and all of us welcoming the salmon back and the bear fits in with the Muks-Kum-Ol logo and continuing that the early start into M'akola. The hands and the palms out - that's the sign of welcoming," Bevan said in explaining the metal art piece.
Bevan recalled his father as a humble man who liked to work behind the scenes.
"Growing up, I did not know a lot of areas he worked in. When he moved back up he brought up the radio station called Northern Native Broadcasting at the time, he eventually passed it over and it changed to CFNR. It's an honour to have this building named after him."
Ray Jones, who worked with Mel Bevan through the early days of Muks-Kum-Ol Housing, remembered him as a kind, compassionate individual.
"We got all our board members together and already had about three or four units and decided to call it Muks-Kum-Ol Housing in respect to the white bear," Jones said.
"In the opening ceremony of one the projects, Mel said to me, 'Ray, you and I probably would never be remembered for the work we have done.' I looked at Mel and said maybe so."
"Renaming the building after Mel's family name is to show our respect and to demonstrate our gratitude to the work and contribution and sacrifices that Mel and his family has made towards our community including this building in his role on the board of Muks-Kum-Ol Housing Society," M'akola CEO Kevin Albers said.
"Rest assured, he will be remembered."
Others who spoke at the event included Kitsumkalum First Nation member David Wells, Bevan's sister Isabel McKee, and Gerald Wesley from Kitsumkalum.
CEO of the Aboriginal Housing Association Margaret Pfoh, Terrace Mayor Sean Bujtas and Amanda Owens, the executive director of Ksan Society, were also in attendance at the event.
