Totem

Centennial Pole
The front of the pole is carved in traditional Kwakwaka’wakw style and the back is more Coast Salish. The snub-nosed canoe is representative of the Coast Salish style of canoe. The Quw’utsun’ people are represented by the story of the Tzinquaw (Thunderbird) and the Q’ul-lhanumutsun (Killer Whale). The Chief Maker on the bottom of the pole is to honour the women in the community. The Salmon on the back are surrounded by painted lines representing the fish weir that is used to trap the Salmon. We wanted to honour the five original tribes in the ceremony (represented by the five salmon); each tribe had a representative at the dedication. Everything was about blessing the day with the chosen dances and songs. Mervyn Child, my nephew, and family members assisted in carving this pole (Calvin Hunt, Interview, Mar 2013).©

Duncan, British Columbia