150th ANNIVERSARY STATUE
Why This Stop Matters
This statue marks the 150th anniversary of the founding of Father Pandosy Mission.
Unlike the historic buildings around you, this artwork was created much later — in 2010 and unveiled in 2012 — to encourage people to think about the many stories connected to this place.
It is not only a statue of one person. It is a reflection on the history, cultures, and changes that shaped the Okanagan Valley.
The Story
The sculpture was created by artist Crystal Przybille to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the mission. It shows Father Pandosy moving through the mission grounds, connecting the past with the present.
Father Pandosy’s story is part of a much larger history. The mission was established on the traditional territory of the Syilx/Okanagan people, whose relationship with this land goes back thousands of years.
The artwork features Father Pandosy walking on the earth, into the wind (symbolizing facing the challenges of pioneering and the turbulence of the era). His wind-blown robe includes symbols connected to Syilx culture, including the Four Food Chiefs — Black Bear, Salmon, Bitterroot, and Saskatoon — as well as Coyote, a Syilx spiritual guide. He is holding a fruit tree pruning symbolizing his role in the establishment of agriculture and settlement in the Valley.
These elements remind visitors that the story of this place includes many perspectives and many generations.
The Artwork
Look closely at the details.
The robe, animals, and plant imagery were carefully chosen. The sculpture connects themes of:
- land
- food
- agriculture
- community
- change
The planting and agricultural imagery also reflects the importance of orchards and farming in the mission’s history and the growth of the Okanagan.
Look Around
As you explore the statue, notice:
- The details carved into the robe.
- The animals and plants represented.
- How the sculpture connects people, land, and history.
- The position of the statue within the mission grounds.
Think about why communities create memorials: what do we choose to remember, and how do we tell those stories?
Did You Know?
The statue was created through collaboration and consultation, including conversations with Westbank First Nation, to include Syilx perspectives in the artwork.
Before You Go...
Take a moment to look at the statue as a bridge between past and present.
The buildings around you tell the story of daily life. This artwork asks us to think about the larger story — the people, cultures, and events that shaped this place.