TOTEM POLES OF SECHELT

Transcription

1 TOTEM POLES OF SECHELT Collectively, the Shíshálh First Nation is represented by the figure of a double-headed eagle. 2. TOTEMS AROUND THE BAND HALL 1. TRAIL BAY WATERFRONT TOTEMS Several totem poles can be seen in Sechelt and are impressive indications of the rich cultural and artistic heritage of the Shíshálh (Sechelt) Nation and other First Nations groups. Because they are made of wood, and usually are outside, totems typically have a relatively short lifespan. The totems that you can see in the Sechelt area were all carved and erected in the last thirty years. Totems can be considered as contemporary art in the tradition of the First Nations. They contain depictions of animals and mythological figures, often representing themes and concepts relevant to specific events or individuals. Many totems in this area include the figures of wolf, grizzly bear, killer whale, frog, and eagle. The first four represent the four main clans of the Shíshálh people. Elders say that there is a fifth clan, represented by the eagle. Due to epidemics that resulted in massive population decline, the oral history of this clan is unclear, but most people will respectfully acknowledge a member when they state that they are eagle clan. Five totems line the waterfront of Trail Bay, on Sinku Drive. One pole represents the people from xénichen (Hunaechin), now called Queen s Reach in Jervis Inlet. The other poles represent the people from t sunay (Deserted Bay in Jervis Inlet), the téwánkw (from Sechelt, Salmon and Narrows Inlets), and the sxixus (from Lang Bay and Pender Harbour to the Roberts Creek area). A fifth and final pole represents the Shíshálh Nation as it exists today. This pole is located in the center of the other four and marks the amalgamation of these clans to form the modern day Sechelt Band. These totems were carved by Tom Billy, Arnold Jones, Tony Paul, and Jamie Jeffries. They were raised between 1996 and 2000 to mark the Sechelt Indian Band s 10th Anniversary of SelfGovernment in Page 1 of 5 There are several totems around the Sechelt Band Hall on Swiyk als Drive (corner of Swyk als Drive and Xenichen Road). On the front of the building are three totems honouring the Sechelt elders. The centre pole was carved by Arnold Jones, and was erected in It has a plaque reading Hunaechin raised in honour of our elders. As you face the Hall, the totem on the left corner of the building is titled Kwatamus, and the one on the right corner of the building is Chatelech (chálich is the name of the town of Sechelt). These two poles were carved by Jamie Jeffries and erected in 1983 to honour the Sechelt people and their new public hall. Two more totems carved by Arnold Jones flank the doorway at the side of the building. Also, in front of the Hall are two totems, carved by Jimmy Joseph, Frank Dixon and Jamie Jeffries, commemorating the achievement of

2 self-government by the Sechelt Indian Band. One totem marks the federal government s passing of Bill C-93 (legislation enabling selfgovernment) on October 9, 1986, and another marks June 24, 1988, the day the provincial government signed the Sechelt Indian District Government into existence. This totem was carved by Jamie Jeffries sometime in the 1990 s. It depicts an eagle, killer whale, and wolf. 4. TOTEM IN FRONT OF THE SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT BUILDING On the lawn in front of the Sechelt Band Hall a circle of totems carved by Jamie Jeffries surrounds a plaque describing the Sechelt Nation. Originally a group of seven figures, now only four remain. Three of these figures were faceless, representing the band s position under the Indian Act. Three others had faces, representing the band s position and identity as a self-governing people. The seventh totem in this group has a plaque honouring David Crombie, Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs in David Crombie set up a transition team to work with the band in developing Bill C93, the self-government enabling legislation. 3. TOTEM IN FRONT OF RAVEN S CRY THEATRE Behind the Raven s Cry Theatre, in front of the Band s Social Development Building, stands a totem carved by Jamie Jeffries and erected in This pole was raised in honour of military veterans from the Sechelt Indian Band. First Nations people have a proud history of serving in the Canadian Armed Forces. In World War I, for example, 35% of all status Indians of military age enlisted for service. The Department of National Defence has published A Commemorative History of Aboriginal People in the Canadian Military. This is available for download free of charge in the publications section of their website ( Page 2 of 5 cpm.forces.gc.ca), and is an excellent source of further information on this topic. 5. TSAIN-KO VILLAGE SHOPPING CENTRE TOTEMS On the corner of Highway 101 and Ti ta Way stands a group of five totems, erected in The bulk of the information below is taken from the Tsain-Ko Village website ( and describes the totems from right to left as you stand facing them. Totem #1: Carved by Andrew Puglas Jr. (U magalis) and Patrick Hunt (Kwinsistalagalis) in 2007 Top Figure: Thunderbird The Thunderbird represents Strength and is one of the most powerful figures to place on a Totem pole amongst the Kwa gulth people. It has strong history and is the healing power of the Northwest Coast First Nations People. This is Andrew and Patrick's mother's main crest which belongs to the Kwak sistala Family of the Weiwaikum Nation in Campbell River, BC. (Andrew is married to Sechelt Nation member Ashley Joe.)

3 Bottom Figure: Tsuno kwa (Wild Woman of the Woods) Tsuno kwa is the highest ranking figure to place on a Totem pole; it shows the wealth of the community and its families. Amongst the Kwa gulth it shows how noble the family is and where they stand in the ranking system of the Kwa kwa kawakw people. The Tsuno Kwa comes from both the Puglas and Hunt Family and is the first mask shown in a potlatch. Totem #2: Carved by Tony Paul (Antuni) in 2007 Top Figure: Raven releasing the Sun The Raven is releasing the Sun and giving us life and the Sunshine Coast its sunshine. Bottom Figure: Human Figure with Tsain-Ko The Human Figure represents our ancestors. The Double Headed Sea Serpent runs up the ancestral figure. This is Tsain-Ko after which Tsain-Ko Village is named. Totem #3: Carved by Richard Baker and Matthew Baker in 2007 Top Figure: The Eagle The Eagle on the top of the Totem Pole with its wings out is the Spiritual Bird that watches over all our communities. Second Figure: The Welcome Figure The Welcome Figure, holding its arms out in greeting, is welcoming people of other nations to the Sechelt Community. Third Figure: The Killer Whale The Killer Whale, Hunter of the Sea represents family and togetherness. Totem #4: Carved by: Tony Paul (Antuni) in 2007 Top Figure: The Watchman The top figure is The Watchman, keeping an eye on all the Shíshálh territories. Figures Below: Animal Symbols All the animal figures below the Watchman represent the band crest for each of the band s traditional areas. These are: The Wolf, The Killer Whale, The Grizzly Bear, The Frog, The Eagle Totem #5: Carved by: Tony Paul (Antuni), Matthew Baker and Richard Baker in 2007 Top Figure: Thunderbird The Thunderbird is the spiritual guardian of the Sechelt Nation. Second Figure: Lady Figure with Drum The Lady Figure represents our elders. The Lady is holding a Drum which symbolizes singing songs to the other Totem Poles. On the Drum is a Double Headed Eagle which represents the Sechelt Nations Crest. 6. SECHELT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TOTEM On Cowrie Street and Shorncliffe Ave, a totem stands in front of the former Sechelt Elementary School. This pole was designed by Bradley Hunt, a Heiltsuk First Nations artist from Bella Bella. Before deciding to pursue his art full-time, Mr. Hunt was a much-respected teacher at the Page 3 of 5 school, and students carved the totem with him and other band members. The pole was erected in The two main figures on the pole are the eagle and a human. The eagle was the crest of Sechelt Elementary School at the time. The human figure below the eagle represents the teacher. In the body of the human is a smaller human representing the child, or children of the school. On the body of the child is a copper which represents wealth in this case the wealth is knowledge. Mr. Hunt also designed the logo for School District No. 46 (Sunshine Coast). The original plaque carving can be found mounted to the outside wall of the School District offices on South Fletcher Road in Gibsons. Sechelt Elementary School was closed in 2010, and this building is now used for a variety of programs including the Sechelt Youth Centre, French School, early learning and after school programs. 7. TED DIXON PARK TOTEMS Two totems overlook the playing fields at Ted Dixon Park on Kwatamus Avenue. The taller pole was carved by Bradley Hunt, and the shorter pole of the spirit wolf was carved by Jamie Jeffries. These poles were erected in memory of Ted Dixon, a respected Sechelt Indian Band counselor who died in a car accident in Winner of a Tom Longboat award as a young man, Mr. Dixon was very athletic and an accomplished runner. It is fitting that this park, with its playing fields, was named after him.

4 8. SUNSHINE COAST REGIONAL DISTRICT OFFICE TOTEM A protection pole stands in front of the Sunshine Coast Regional District Offices at 1975 Field Road. Carved by Tony Paul, this totem was erected in It commemorates the signing of the Joint Watershed Management Agreement between the Sunshine Coast Regional District and the Sechelt Indian Band in 2005, where the two governments agreed to protect the Chapman and Grey Creek watersheds. The base of the pole is a grizzly bear, signifying protection of the land. Above the bear is an eagle, its wings sheltering a frog. The frog represents unity, and here signifies the unity of the people working together to protect the watershed. The eagle represents protection from the air, and here indicates both protection of the watershed and protection of the friendship between people on the Sunshine Coast. 9. SECHELT BAND INDUSTRIAL PARK ENTRANCE At the corner of East Porpoise Bay Road and Black Bear Road, a totem carved by Tony Paul marks the entrance to the Sechelt Band s industrial park. This pole is called The Spirit of Tita and is in memory of Clarence Joe Senior, a much respected Sechelt Band member who died in on the map correspond to the numbers of the headings in this document. Most of these totem poles can be visited with a comfortable walk others require walking a further distance, or a short card ride. This pole is a protection pole, providing protection to people who enter the Sechelt Industrial Park. From top to bottom, it depicts the eagle, killer whale (in the wing of the eagle), wolf, grizzly bear, and frog, symbols of the clans of the Shíshálh Nation. Thank you to Lenora Joe, Fran Nahanee, Bradley Hunt, Jamie Jeffries, Lori Dixon, Kerry Mahlman. Tony Paul, and Candace Campo for helping to compile this information. Clarence Joe was Sechelt Band Manager for many years, and was an early and passionate proponent of the Sechelt Nation s selfgovernment. He was also instrumental in many projects to document and preserve the Shíshálh language and culture, including the chairing of a committee of Sechelt elders who consulted with linguist Ronald Beaumont, the author of a grammar guide and dictionary of the Shíshálh language. Clarence was called Tita, which means big brother in the Shíshálh language. Tita Way Road, beside Saint Mary s Hospital, is also named in honour of Clarence Joe. 10. SALISH SOILS DEMONSTRATION GARDEN Salish Soils, on Black Bear Road just up the road from East Porpoise Bay Road, has a small demonstration garden beside their office. It contains one of the totems carved by Jamie Jeffries that used to be in the circle of totems in front of the Band Hall. MAP SHOWING TOTEM POLE LOCATIONS On the following page, you'll find a map showing the locations of these totem poles. The numbers Page 4 of 5 Sechelt Visitor Centre 2013 Photography by Irene James

5 Sechelt Nation Totem Poles 9 10 Located just south of Sechelt Page 5 of 5