The University of Victoria
The Chancellor’s chair and ceremonial furnishings used at Convocation are the generous gift of the late Dr. Michael C. Williams. They constitute five magnificent works of art, created through a collaboration among twelve West Coast artists. Roberta Louis, weaver, and Susan Point, carver, both Coast Salish of the Musqueam Band, with artist Glen Tallio (Nuxalk), created the kneeling stool. Carvers Art Thompson (Nuu-chah-nulth), Calvin Hunt (Kwagiulth), Norman Tait (Nisga’a), John Livingston (adopted Kwagiulth), and Don Yeomans (Haida) collaborated with weavers Ann Smith (Tutchone-Tlingit) and Cheryl Samuel (adopted Tlingit) on the Chancellor’s chair itself. The Chief Speaker’s staff was designed and carved by Kwagiulth artist, Richard Hunt. The kneeling figure mace stand was sculpted by Tom Hunt (Kwagiulth). The raven lectern is also the work of John Livingston. The furnishings were completed in 1994. Their style and imagery draw on the myths and artistic traditions of the Northwest Coast Aboriginal nations, home communities to many University of Victoria students.