Totem pole represents new health-care relationship between government and First Nations, artist says
A new totem pole designed to further reconciliation — and to honour the carvers' own mother — has been unveiled next to the provincial health ministry building in Victoria.
First Nations leaders and politicians were on hand for the dedication of the Crossing Cultures and Healing totem pole on Blanshard Street on Tuesday.
Cheers went up as the sheet came down from the 7.5-metre pole, carved from a 300-year-old red cedar.
Steve Sxwithultxw, a senior advisor for cultural safety with the ministry, helped oversee the project and said the totem represents a new health-care relationship between government and First Nations.
"It is important that health outcomes for our people are recognized and are dealt with — to know that our people are important," he said.
Artists Tom and Perry Lafortune, brothers from the Tsawout First Nation, carved the pole on the Royal B.C. Museum's outdoor plaza throughout the summer.
Perry has been carving for 42 years, but said this was the most public project he has undertaken.
The bottom figure on the pole depicts the brothers' mother, who died 10 years ago.
"This is really, really special because it's near and dear to my heart," Perry said in August.
Listen to the full interview with Perry in August:
The brothers say the carving displays, from the top down:
Raven: messenger of good news.
Owl: ability to see in both worlds, the past, present and future.
Frog: conscience of the community.
Woman: grandmother who teaches respect, humility, and resilience.
Rope: connects the figures together for strength and continuity.
Politicians took turns at the podium on Tuesday, including B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix, who said the government recognizes the importance of culture in healthcare.
Sxwithultxw said he hopes officials follow through.
"Walk your talk. Show that we want to move forward as one, that we want to work together and collaborate in partnership," he said.
With files from Michael Tymchuk, Michael McArthur and the Canadian Press
