Decades before Vancouver became the city we know, First Nations artists were already shaping its cultural landscape. Right here stands a testament to their enduring legacy, the Totem Pole.
These monumental carvings are not unique to Vancouver. They hail from the rich artistic traditions of the Pacific Northwest Coast. The poles are from the Haida, Tlingit, Tsimshian, Kwakwaka’wakw and Nuu-chah-nulth communities. These First Nations reside in British Columbia and Southeast Alaska.
The word “totem” comes from the Algonquian word “odoodem.” It means “(his) kinship group.” These towering sculptures often depict ancestors and cultural beliefs. They recount familiar legends, clan lineages, or notable events. The Totem Pole is a symbol. It embodies a historical narrative significant to its carvers.
Contrary to popular belief, these poles are not objects of worship. They are not subjects of spiritual practice. Instead, they serve as illustrations of family lineage. They are a representation of the cultural heritage of the Indigenous people.
These Totem Poles use rot-resistant trunks of Thuja plicata trees. It is popularly known as giant cedar or western red cedar. The moist climate of the Pacific Northwest means that few examples carved before 1900 remain.
Totem Poles are not the only objects used to depict spiritual reverence. They also show family legends, sacred beings, culturally important animals, people, or historical events. The freestanding poles were likely preceded by a long history of decorative carving.
Before the 19th century, carving tools were made of stone, shells, or beaver teeth. The arrival of iron and steel tools led to more complex carvings. It also increased Totem Pole production.
There are different types of Totem Poles. Each has a unique purpose. House frontal poles tell the story of a family or village. Interior house posts support the roof beams of a clan house. Mortuary poles incorporate grave boxes for the deceased. Memorial poles honor a person about a year after their death. Welcome poles greet visitors to a community. Shame poles ridicule individuals for unpaid debts or wrongdoings.
Each carving on each pole has a meaning. The eagle represents the kingdom of the air. The whale signifies the lordship of the sea. The wolf is the genius of the land. The frog is the transitional link between land and sea.
Some believe that the highest figure on a Totem Pole is the most important. However, Indigenous sources reject this linear hierarchy. Some believe the most important representations are at the bottom. They bear the weight of all the other figures. Others consider figures at eye-level to be the most significant.
The collection of Totem Poles in Stanley Park began in the 1920s. The Vancouver Parks Board bought them. They thought they would eventually build a replica First Nations village in Stanley Park. Some of these original poles were carved as early as the 1880s. In 1962, the Totem Poles were moved to Brockton Point.
By the mid-1980s, many of the Totem Poles in Stanley Park were damaged and rotting. Some poles were put into museums. Replicas were carved. Today, they reside in a separated grassy area.
Totem Poles are unique to the Northwest Coast. Each carving tells of a real or mythical event. They stand as a powerful reminder of the rich cultural heritage of the First Nations. The First Nations have shaped this land for centuries. They have done this with skill, artistry, and deep cultural meaning. The Totem Pole connects us to the stories of the past. They inspire us to listen to the voices of those who came before.