Raven Totem Makes Stop in P.G.
By 250 News
Thursday, June 17, 2010 04:07 AM
With one hand on the bible, Haida Elder Beatrice Eppinga offers a prayer for the totem pole
Prince George, B.C.- It didn’t have the hoopla and commercialism of the Olympic Torch’s visit to Prince George, and fewer than 100 people were on hand for the event, but for those who did attend, it meant so much.
The Raven Totem pole which stood in Jasper for 94 years, made a stop last night on it’s journey back to Haida Gwaii.
The pole has been on the road, visiting communities throughout B.C. and Alberta for six weeks, and will head straight to Prince Rupert, then it crosses Hecate Straight to Skidegate for one last stop before returning home to Masset.
“It has been amazing to see the people who have a connection with this totem pole” sys Tour organizer Lorie Dowling “We are surprised by the number of ex-Jasperites who want to come out and say good-bye to the pole.”
In a prone position in a special semi-trailer, ( photo at right) the pole is visible only when the special “windows” are opened. 
It is showing its age.
The colour is nearly entirely gone, and the wood is past being “weathered”.
The Raven Totem Pole was carved by a master Haida Gwaii carver sometime in the 1870s-80s. The original pole had an additional three meters of uncarved pole at the top and stood in front of a family house called John. The large raven figure signals the family’s membership within the Raven clan of Haida society.
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When the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway opened a northern rail route across the mountains to Prince Rupert in 1914, totem poles were a popular feature of the route. As part of its promotions, the railway company acquired some fine Haida poles for its Prince Rupert and Jasper stations.The pole was moved to its last position beside the train station in 1954. It had been restored and fixed to a creosote pole to provide some additional support. It was an important Jasper landmark and a colourful reminder of the community’s early railway history.
Unfortunately, many years of weather caused structural damage to the pole. Parks Canada conservation specialists tried to save it but the massive wooden carving was beyond repair. It became a public safety hazard and it was taken down on April 3, 2009.
On Monday, a special ceremony is planned in Masset, and as Haida Elder Beatrice Eppinga told the crowd, “There will be a big feast.”
It was Eppinga’s duty to offer a prayer for the pole as she asked the Creator to “Bless it on its way home, keep it safe on the waters.”
Her prayers were followed by singing and drumming from the Lheidli-T’enneh Youth, who said they were so very honoured to be asked to perform as being part of this pole’s journey home was “very powerful.”
Once the pole arrives in Masset, it will be placed in a shelter built to keep it protected from the elements.
The Haida are carving a new pole for Jasper, but it is not expected to be complete until the spring of next year
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Posted by: Anastasia on June 17 2010 9:20 AM
Did they acquire them by buying them, being given them free by the owners or is this an ultra polite way of saying they stole them?