Centennial Totem Pole
Media
Cedar, paint
Artists
John Edward Neel, Lloyd Wadhams Sr., and Robert Whonnock
Location / Status
The original location of the pole was at Poirier Community Centre, 630 Poirier Street.
Outdoor totem poles have a traditional lifespan of approximately 50 to 55 years. In March 2024, the Centennial Totem Pole was removed in a process called deaccession, as the totem pole had surpassed its expected lifespan and was no longer structurally sound due to natural deterioration.
The City has engaged an Indigenous consultant to work with the families of the original carvers and will coordinate with the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm First Nation to ensure the deaccession process respects Indigenous culture and traditions.
Date
Saturday, October 28, 1967
Statement of Significance
In 1967, to commemorate Canada’s 100th birthday, the Columbian Newspaper initiated The Centennial Totem Pole (PDF) project and commissioned four totem poles to be carved, one for each of its service areas.
The pole is carved in the Kwakwaka’wakw tradition of North West Coast First Nations art, as local Coast Salish First Nations art practice was not publicly prevalent at the time. The figures on the pole represent from top to bottom, Thunderbird (with bear depicted on his chest), Raven with Salmon and Killer Whale with man on his back.
Background
On May 15, 2007, the totem pole was relocated slightly northwest of its original location, as part of the City’s Dogwood Pavilion expansion and improvement project.