I would first like to acknowledge that we are standing on the traditional, unceded territory of the Coast Salish, the Snuneymuxw Nation.

My name is Gloria Filax and I am Vice President of the Gabriola Historical and Museum Society.  We gather today to celebrate the 73 year history of what is now the last remaining shipyard in the Gulf Islands – Silva Bay Shipyard.  The current owners of the shipyard, Don and Vicky Mayrend, and past owners are to be lauded for carrying on a tradition of ship-building when so many other ship building enterprises on the Gulf Islands have drifted into the past.

This historic marker is the first in a new series of six plaques that highlight some of the major historic sites on Gabriola.  The rest of the series will be unveiled this summer and fall.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our generous funders:  the Canadian Federal government program ‘Canada150’ and the Province of British Columbia.

On behalf of the Gabriola Historical and Museum Society I would also like to thank Ivan Bulic for his ongoing volunteer work to make these plaques happen, and the museum’s History and Presentation Committee, especially Janet Stobbs, for its commitment to preserving the history of this place we call Gabriola Island.  And thank you to all who have attended this unveiling.”