NANAIMO – Local MLA Leonard Krog unveiled today a new Stop of Interest sign at Deverill Square Gyro 2 Park in Nanaimo featuring the story of local sports legend Harry Manson.

The sign commemorates November 12, 1892, when the first Snuneymuxw vs. European soccer match was played at the location of the current park. “Xul-si-malt” Harry Manson, who played on the Snuneymuxw team, the all-Indigenous Nanaimo Warriors, was one of the star players, and went on to become one of the first Indigenous athletes to play for a non-Indigenous team, and to win British Columbia and Nanaimo championships. His legacy of overcoming prejudice in sport is honoured and celebrated by four sports Hall of Fame inductions across Canada.

“Despite facing intense racism both on the soccer field and in the community, Harry Manson challenged barriers, brought Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal athletes together, and became one of the best soccer players of his time,” said Krog. “I’m proud that his legacy is being celebrated in Nanaimo today.”

From September 2016 through January 2017, British Columbians were invited to submit their ideas for new Stop of Interest signs and share interesting stories that could be told to people travelling B.C.’s highways. Over 500 submissions were received.

The stories to appear on the remainder of the new signs will be announced over the coming months as the signs are installed.

Learn more:

The provincial map of Stop of Interest sign locations will be updated as new signs are added, at: www.gov.bc.ca/stopsofinterest