Off Kilter

22

It’s funny how we become so familiar with certain things that we eventually simply fail to see them. The topic for this week’s challenge was “Carved Artpieces” and, after thinking about what I wanted to photograph this week, I landed on a totem pole. The obvious candidates were Stanley Park, UBC’s Museum of Anthropology, or the top of Burnaby Mountain Park. But any of those required a drive off the North Shore and we are trying our best to stay close to home. We live in the heart of Squamish FN territory, there “had” to be totem poles closer to home if I just put my brain in gear.

Eventually I thought of a couple. I know there is one at Whey-ah-wichen (Cates) Park, and I remembered that there is also one at the Capilano River RV Park & Campground, but the background on that one is a bit touristy. I figured that there “had” to be a couple down at the Squamish Nations Elders Centre and/or at the Xwemelch’stn School. I was right and, in the end, the one at the school won out because it is unpainted.

The carved poles created by the Northwest Coast Indigenous peoples serve variously as a signboard, genealogical record and memorial. The poles showcasesa nation’s, family’s or individual’s history and displays their rights to certain territories, songs, dances and other aspects of their culture. Poles can also be used as memorials and to tell stories. Carved of large, straight red cedar and often painted vibrant colours, the poles are representative of both coastal Indigenous culture and Northwest Coast Indigenous Art.

From: www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/totem-pole

This particular pole is on the lands of the Squamish Nation near where I live, and made for a nice outing on a clear and sunny day….before the snow is forecast to arrive for its short visit tomorrow…hopefully 🙂