totem poles of sechelt - Sechelt Visitor Centre

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 1996.
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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 1984. 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
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 1984. 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
2012. 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 (www.cmp-
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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 2007.
The bulk of the information below is taken from
the Tsain-Ko Village website (www.tsainkovillage.com) 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.)
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
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school, and students carved the totem with him
and other band members. The pole was erected
in 1985. 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 1981. 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.
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 2009. 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 1982.
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
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Sechelt Visitor Centre
2013
Photography by Irene James
www.irenejamesphotography.com
Sechelt Nation Totem Poles
9
10
Located just south of Sechelt
8
7
5
3
4
6
2
1
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