Shíshálh Nation representatives, dignitaries and students gathered at Pender Harbour Secondary School (PHSS) June 20 for the raising of a new totem pole at the school’s entrance.
Shíshálh master carver Arnold Jones, now in his mid-70s, has been working on the project since May 5, 2014, when two halves of a cedar log were brought to the school and blessed in a special ceremony. The sections were to be used for two poles to replace older, non-traditional poles at the school entrance that had to be removed for safety reasons.
Glen Martin and Noelle Browning, RCMP Aboriginal liaison officers, were invited to the celebration. PHSS principal Chris Lekakis noted, “Glen immediately offered to dress in red serge to honour the occasion. It was great to have both the liaison members, as well as their staff sergeant, Vishal Mathura. For these three to attend was an honour to the occasion.”
Jones did the carving on site, giving students and interested community members a chance to observe and learn the craft. Since the start of carving, interested students have been invited to participate in the project.
“Each year, students have been involved in designing, carving or painting,” Lekakis said.
Students in Keith Shaw’s art classes, with Jones present, chose which animals they felt were important to include on the pole, and Jones chose from their suggestions. The pole is topped with a salmon image similar to the one depicted on the PHSS logo, two frog figures, a beaver and a bear at the base.
“The best part for me (as principal) was that the pole and the stories infused into the carving created the conditions for the students to live the learning and not just read about it an a textbook,” Lekakis said.
An eagle has been carved onto the second pole, and Jones said he plans on finishing next year.
