Culture and Traditions

Haida Gwaii: Ancient Tradition Relived through a Legacy Totem Pole

Haida Gwaii: Ancient Tradition Relived through a Legacy Totem Pole
Bernadine Racoma

After 130 years of Haida Gwaii’s rich history, a new totem pole will be erected at the very heart of Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve in British Columbia, Canada. A colossal totem pole was carved by indigenous artists, giving it a touch of authenticity and significant historical value. Haida Gwaii or the Queen Charlotte Islands off the north coat of BC is the home of the indigenous Haida nation.

What does it signify?

The creation of the new totem pole signifies the deep connection of the citizens of Haida to their cultural tradition. The Haida people also believe that it is more than just a symbol of where they came from, but also a reminder of significant past occurrences that shaped their land. The totem pole will be set in place at Lyell Island’s Windy Bay on August 15, 2013.

The pole has a total height of 14 meters and has a very distinct design. It depicts five Haida protestors with arms locked to one another. The artists were inspired by the 1985 logging blockade which was a huge historical milestone in the region. The protests and blockade led to the creation of the Gwaii Haanas National Park.

Team effort

Creatively fashioned from the 500-year old trunk of an old cedar tree carefully selected from the vast picturesque landscape of the Island of Graham, the project took a full year before it was completed. Jaalen Edenshaw formed a team of expert carvers who took on the job dedicating 12 hours a day to finish the totem pole. The team wanted to make their creation a symbol of the past and present Haida and did their best to embody the nation’s rich history.

The 1985 standoff

A standoff occurred in 1985 in the Island of Lyell where protesters fought those who explicitly violated logging rules. After eight years, the 1993 South Moresby Agreement took shape and eventually Gwaii Haanas was formed. Gwaii Haanas is a one of a kind environmental and traditional affiliation that Parks Canada and the Haida Nation entered voluntarily.

The inspiration

Edenshaw was just a kid when the standoff at Lyell occurred. He remembered the beauty and glamour of the Island which prompted concerned citizens to put an end to logging activities that would cause devastation to the surrounding areas. Edenshaw’s inspiration for creating the totem pole was founded on the blockade as well as the earthquake that shook Haida Gwaii in the past.

Edenshaw told the press that the blockade and the earthquake are relevant occurrences in the history of Haida. He also said that the totem pole he and his crew carved is not only to show off something new and remarkably beautiful. It is also a medium for storytelling.

The new totem pole is a mark of the 20th year anniversary of the South Moresby Agreement, remarked Ernie Gladstone, a respected member of the Haida Nation. He is also a superintendent at Parks Canada. Gladstone added that the totem pole renews the assurances that government officials have expressed in implementing cultural awareness and preservation across the whole community.

Photo Credit: Islands of Haida Gwaii, B.C.

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