The soaring eagle. A symbol of power. It once graced the towering totem pole of Plaza Canadá. Here we stand in this vibrant Buenos Aires square. Its history is deeply interwoven with the story of this magnificent carving.
Plaza Canadá opened on July 1 1961. The Buenos Aires municipality named it in honor of Canada. Richard Plant Bower the Canadian ambassador initiated a remarkable gift. He arranged for a traditional Kwakiutl totem pole to be donated. This impressive structure was carved by Henry and Tony Hunt indigenous artists from Vancouver Island.
The totem was more than just decoration. It represented the Geeksem clan of the Kwakiutl tribe. Carved from red cedar it depicted an eagle a sea lion a sea otter a whale a beaver the hok-hok a cannibal bird and a human face representing the chief. The 20-meter-tall pole weighing four tons was a stunning spectacle. It arrived in Buenos Aires in 1964 and stood proudly in a rectangular pond. Its inauguration in March 1965 was a significant event.
Unfortunately the totem’s story took a tragic turn. Despite the Canadian embassy’s detailed maintenance instructions the pole suffered severe deterioration. In 2008 the city government ordered its removal for restoration. However the totem was not carefully removed. Instead it was cut down with a chainsaw just 40 centimeters from the ground. This act shocked many.
The once majestic totem lay in pieces. Its remains sat in a city yard for years. The director of the city’s Monuments and Works of Art department admitted their mistakes. This unfortunate incident sparked a renewed commitment to preserving cultural heritage.
Four years later in August 2012 a new totem was erected. This time a smaller 12.9-meter-tall pole. Carved by Stan Hunt son of one of the original carvers. It featured similar zoomorphic figures but in different colors. An indigenous dance ceremony marked its installation. The new totem stands as a testament to the enduring bond between Canada and Argentina. And a reminder of the importance of cultural preservation.