One of three totem poles bound for the entrance to St. Mary's Hospital is now being carved beside the hospital, adjacent to Highway 101, by artist Andrew U'magalis Puglas and his team.
The carvers are skillfully bringing out figures of a noble woman, a double headed sea serpent and a great golden eagle from the eight-metre cedar pole.
Puglas chose each symbol for its deep significance in the Sechelt culture.
The great golden eagle, or chas-kin in the shíshálh language, is known as a protector and guide, Puglas said.
"Before the missionaries came to the people here, the Sechelts believed that was their God," said Puglas, who is an honourary member of the Sechelt Nation. "They worshipped it. It's said to guide the hunters, all the providers for their nation, and it always watched out for them."
The double headed sea serpent, or chainkwu, is meant to represent the historic pictograph markings of the creature found in Salmon Inlet. The chainkwu is also thought to represent a balance between good and evil, Puglas said.
"The noble lady represents all the honoured ladies of the Sechelt Nation and it shows our respect for Mother Earth and for mothers of all," Puglas said.
While his is the only totem pole being carved outside St. Mary's Hospital right now, another will start being transformed soon.
Deon Louie said he hopes to start carving his totem pole featuring a beaver, raven, wolf and eagle within the next week or so, after a new cedar pole is delivered. Louie's first pole was found to be rotten inside.
He chose to dedicate his totem pole to his grandfather, who recently passed away.
"The beaver is my grandpa's clan and the wolf is my grandmother's clan," Louie said.
The raven is said to be the keeper of shiny objects and was incorporated into the pole as the keeper of the Sunshine Coast, while the eagle represents the Sechelt Nation.
The final pole will be carved by artist Tony Paul in the Sechelt Nation longhouse.
His pole is titled the Heal-ing Pole, and it features a watchman, an eagle, a sun, a human and a hummingbird.
He said the watchman at the top of the pole ensures the protection of the area and the hospital, while the eagle is used for its strength, power and vision.
"It protects the spirit of the body, representing health and wholeness," Paul said.
The sun on the chest of the eagle is meant to radiate healing and peace.
"It's the source for life, abundance of living things on Mother Earth," Paul said.
The hummingbird is the healer.
"It fulfills the creator's promise that to those who suffer injury or loss, all shall be restored," he noted. "The human figure represents the people at the hospital who care-take those in their time of need in health and happiness."
Lauren Tindall, Sunshine Coast director of clinical services for Vancouver Coastal Health, said she is very excited to have the totem poles being carved especially for the hospital's new entranceway.
"I think it's really important to acknowledge the land that we're on," Tindall said, noting the hospital land was donated by the Band many years ago through "a lot of wisdom and a lot of generosity. And having an opportunity to showcase their culture and talent is important, which we've tried to do inside the building and outside," she said.
The signs and information boards inside the new hospital are adorned with Sechelt Nation artwork, and the new lobby will feature a large Sechelt Nation mural to be created by artist Shain Jackson.
St. Mary's Hospital hopes to unveil the three new poles and the mural later this August or September.
