Babe in Arms

Inspired by Fern's photo off Songhees Point a few days ago I visited there today myself. I have always liked this totem pole, especially the figures of the mother and child on the bottom but it has a special resonance for me this week. I became a great-grand-father barely a week ago. The baby, a beautiful little girl, is my first great-grand-child and a lovely addition to the family.

Keeping An Eye On Things....

We took an evening stroll and as we passed the City's Public Works Yard I had this feeling of being watched. Sure enough, looking out an upstairs window was the most curious sight. I'm not sure why or how this fellow got there but it was a surprise. - Fern

Totems

Yesterday's totem stands peacefully among tall trees. Today's totem is in the heart of the city, directly opposite the Legislative Assembly Buildings.

S'AEL

As I was leaving Hatley Park I noticed this strikingly fresh and new totem pole near the entrance to the grounds. Totems are always interesting pieces of art and cultural expressions but I have seldom seen one looking so fresh and new. Like this they are even more stunning. The pole was erected in late 2015 and a nearby plaque reads as below.

S'AEL
(HARMONY)
Commemorates the 75th Anniversary of Royal Roads (A Naval and Military College from 1940 to 1995 and a British Columbia public university since 1995) and honours the indigenous people on whose ancestral land we learn and celebrate together.

Created by
Tom LaFortune assisted by Howard LaFortune Jr.
(Tsawout First Nation)

Commissioned and Donated by
Wayne Strandlund
(Metis)
Chancellor and Chair of the Board of Governors Royal Roads University
September 2015

Totem Poles

There are two totem poles on Songhees point, one of which is pictured above. Oddly enough, whenever I see totem poles here lately I am reminded of South Korea, where I worked for a year some time ago. While moving around the country I several times saw collections of what at first glance appeared to be totem poles near the entrances to villages or small towns. The resemblance between these Korean poles and our local totem poles is striking though it is quite superficial. You can see many examples of the Korean poles HERE.

From Songhees Point 3

On the rocky promontory that comprises Songhees Point itself are a couple of totem poles, a kind of art created by the First Nations on the Northwest Coast of North America. Often these poles are painted with bright colours but I like that much of these two poles is simply the naturally aged wood.

Canada Day Fireworks

Canada Day would not be complete without fireworks! And like old barns and sunsets, if you have your camera in hand you can't help but try and take a few shots. I like this one with the totem pole silhouetted by the fireworks, it's a nice juxtaposition. -Fern

Totem Pole on Songhees Point

The artwork of Pacific Northwest Native Peoples is world renowned. Probably its most famous artifact is the totem pole and that pictured above is one of my local favorites. It is located on Songhees Point and has, in part, been featured here before. Visit the Songhees Nation website to find out more about the history and culture of the people who lived here before European settlers arrived. There are also some good photos showing the various stages during the creation of a totem pole. Wikipedia also has a good article on totem poles.

Kwakwaka'wakw Bear Pole

On a quick trip to Vancouver last week I had occasion to wait at the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal and noticed there this beautiful totem pole. It is a work of famed Kwakwaka'wakw artist, Chief Henry Hunt. It was carved to mark the centennial of the Province of British Columbia in 1966 and depicts a grizzly bear (top) and a whale. Henry Hunt was born in 1923 and worked with Mungo Martin and the BC Provincial Museum in replicating many decaying totem poles as well as on his own superb creations such as this prize-winning pole. In 1983 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Fine Arts by the University of Victoria. He died in 1985.

Brian DeBunce Music

Exactly two years ago I posted the above photo of the Dockside Green totem pole. Now this photo appears as the cover of an album of fine new age music entitled, appropriately, "Totem." The music is written and performed by Brian DeBunce and you can hear and/or buy some of it using the player below. I always liked this photo and am happy to see it in use with such fine music.
Click here to visit Brian's website and find out more about this musician.

Thunderbird

I was passing through Beacon Hill Park a few days ago when I realized that I have not before posted a photo of this totem pole although, as one of the tallest in the world, it is certainly worthy of note. However, what drew my attention to it on this day was the topmost figure, one of our local Bald Eagles taking advantage of this splendid vantage point. Below is the best I could do for a close-up since I didn't have a true telephoto lens with me. A passerby informed me that this eagle often perches atop this pole at this season during the last few years. The pole itself is very noteworthy, carved by Kwakwaka'wakw craftsman Mungo Martin and erected in 1956. As to whether the Bald Eagle is the original thunderbird of native mythology, you can read Wikipedia's discussion of this question by clicking HERE and decide for yourself.