The City of St. Catharines has restored the 56-year-old Centennial Totem Pole which used to be on display at Richard Pierpoint Park. Due to weather and seasonal effects, the natural materials of the totem pole had begun to deteriorate so the City took action to restore the art piece. Staff are now looking for a new permanent home for the totem pole to protect it from the elements.
Our plans to restore the totem pole
To successfully restore the totem pole, we have:
- Conducted analysis of the conditions and deterioration in 2018
- Led extensive public engagement in 2018
- Provided a staff report and approval from City Council recommendations at the Council meeting held on August 12, 2019
- Removed the totem pole from its location on December 17, 2019
- Restored the totem pole in 2022
Staff are looking for a new home for the totem pole to protect it from the elements.
History
To commemorate the historical event of the 100th anniversary of Confederation, we had the Centennial Totem Pole commissioned in 1966 by a Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw artist, Doug Cranmer, for $6,800. The totem pole was originally erected in 1967 for Canada's Centennial.
About the totem pole carvings
Learn about the different totem pole carvings from top to bottom on the Centennial Totem Pole.
Thunderbird |
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At the top of the totem pole is a thunderbird, representing the omnipotence of the conqueror and ruler of the skies and a helpful spirit. The Thunderbird is credited with creating the storms. It's believed to live high in the mountains and carry lightning bolts under its enormous wings. When he blinks lightning comes out of his eyes, and when he flaps his wings thunder roars. |
Bear holding Copper |
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Below the Thunderbird is a bear holding copper. The bear symbolizes great power and authority on earth. For the Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw, Copper represents a ceremonial symbol of wealth and high rank. Each copper has its own name, history and value. Sometimes a Chief would break a copper to show that he was so wealthy that he could afford to damage such a valuable object. The value of a copper rises each time the copper changes hands. The purchase, sale and destruction of copper are all events that occur at a potlatch. |
Cedar Man |
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Under the bear is a Cedar Man. The Cedar Man was a tree that transformed into a man and became an ancestor to the Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw. The cedar tree is called the tree of life and every part is used. |
Sisiyutł |
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Next, the Sisiyutł is a double-headed serpent. It is one of the most powerful figures in Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw tradition that can transform and change into a salmon or even a canoe. The Sisiyutł has a snake-like body with horned serpent two heads extending from either side of a horned human-like face in the centre. To touch the dangerous Sisiyutł means certain death. However, for some warriors, it brings supernatural powers by turning a warrior's skin into armour with its blood and creating a strong belt allowing the wearer to perform superhuman feats with its skin. The image of Sisiyutł is often displayed as a family crest and is painted or carved on house fronts and panels, totem poles and ceremonial objects. Sisiyutł can also be a długwe', which is a treasure or supernatural power. |
Raven |
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Lastly, the Raven at the bottom symbolizes a creator. The Raven brings wealth, power and wisdom to the family. In the Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw culture, the Raven is known as the messenger of the sky and famous for being a mischievous glutton. He is a benevolent figure but many Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw stories about the Raven have to do with his frivolous or poorly thought out behaviour getting him into trouble. |
About the artist Doug Cranmer
Doug Cranmer was a Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw artist who was known across the globe for his mastery carvings. Born in Alert Bay on January 18, 1927, Cranmer lived his life as the hereditary chief of the ʼNa̱mǥis Nation. He started his first formal carving instructions in the 1950s.
Cranmer's craftsmanship has been displayed nationally and internationally and can be found in many public and private collections. His work plays a significant role in the Northwest Coast art movement which has contributed greatly to the history of Indigenous Art in Canada. Cranmer's artistic work has set the tone for the next generation of artists and historians.
History of totem poles
Totem poles are monuments created by First Nations of the Pacific Northwest to represent and commemorate ancestry, histories, people, or events. Totem poles are typically:
- Created out of red cedar
- Made visible within a community
- Used to display beings, or crest animals that mark a family's lineage and validate the powerful rights and privileges that the family holds
- Created to document stories and histories familiar to community members, a particular family or clan members
Across the world, the totem pole is falsely seen as a symbol of all Indigenous North American peoples. However, the carving of totem poles is an ancient cultural tradition. They originate from the west coast of North America with First Nations such as the Tsimshian, Haida, Tlingit, Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw, Nuxalt and Coast Salish. Each group offers their own carving styles and traditions.