October 7, 2024
Kwaguilth Totem Pole Laid to Rest on Legislative Grounds
The Kwaguilth totem pole on the southeast grounds of the Manitoba Legislative Building will be removed from its plinth and laid to rest in a nearby raised planter bed, Premier Wab Kinew, minister responsible for Indigenous reconciliation, and Consumer Protection and Government Services Minister Lisa Naylor announced today.
“An important part of reconciliation is recognizing and honouring traditional Indigenous cultures,” said Kinew. “This totem pole has welcomed visitors to the legislative building for many years and it will now return to the earth.”
The 16-foot totem pole depicting a legend of the Kwaguilth, Indigenous Peoples from the West Coast, has naturally deteriorated over the years. The totem pole’s condition was inspected in September 2022 by Richard Hunt, a traditional Kwaguilth carver and the son of the totem pole’s original carver, Henry Hunt. Based on that assessment and in keeping with Kwaguilth tradition, it was recommended the totem pole be laid to rest. It will be placed in an east-west orientation in a nearby raised planter bed during the traditional dedication ceremony led by Richard Hunt.
“For more than 50 years, this Kwaguilth totem pole has welcomed visitors to the legislative grounds,” said Naylor. “In keeping with Kwaguilth tradition, it will now be laid to rest in a place of honour to let it decay naturally back to the earth.”
The totem pole was unveiled on the Legislative Building grounds on July 20, 1971, to commemorate the centenary of the province of British Columbia entering Confederation.
- 30 -