Totem Poles in Color

by Inge Riis McDonald

Title

Totem Poles in Color

Artist

Inge Riis McDonald

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

Memorial totem poles mark some of the graves in the century-old burial grounds and commemorate deceased members of the Kwakwaka'wakw. Figures on the totem poles depict family crests.
Alert Bay is a tiny village on Cormorant Island, formerly a thriving fishing village on the coast of British Columbia. It is the oldest community on northern Vancouver Island. The many heritage building an old wooden houses along the waterfront tells a story of the early pioneer days. There is the remnants of the old fish saltery from 1870 and there is a rich history of living culture of the Namgis First Nation of the Kwakwaka-wakw.
The vibrant blending of First Nation and pioneer cultures is remarkable and shows an example of cultures living side by side in harmony, set in an unparalleled Northern Pacific wilderness environment.

The village's elegant and acclaimed U'mista Cultural Centre, incorporated in 1974, is Canada's longest-running First Nations museum and cultural centre. U'mista showcases the famed Potlatch Collection of ceremonial regalia, taken by Canadian authorities in 1922 during the potlatch ban era and finally returned in 1980.

The 'Namgis were originally based at the mouth of the Namgis River (aka the Nimpkish), directly across the Broughton Strait on Vancouver Island. Here they lived off the region's abundant salmon, herring, cod, and halibut, while relying on the western red cedar for housing materials, canoes, clothing, and blankets.
Captain George Vancouver made first European contact with the 'Namgis in 1792. A Hudson Bay Company post was established near Port Hardy. A brisk trade in salmon, furs, game, and shellfish continued as the Kwakwaka'wakw were introduced to western culture. Like other First Nations peoples, the Kwakwaka'wakw were devastated by small pox, experiencing a population decrease from 19,000 in the 1700s to 3,000 in 1880.
A pair of entrepreneurs leased Cormorant Island from the government and established a salmon saltery on the Alert Bay waterfront in 1870. In need of labour, they convinced the 'Namgis to relocate their village to the island - which traditionally had been used as a seasonal home and sacred resting place. The saltery was joined by a cannery a decade later, and settlement grew rapidly. A store, sawmill, and post office made Alert Bay the unofficial capital of northern Vancouver Island for remote logging communities in the area.
The repression of First Nations' culture continued with the 1913 enforced ban on potlatches (the ceremony at the heart of Kwakwaka'wakw culture). The advent of the Great Depression hit the region hard, and BC Packers closed its salmon cannery. After World War II, the economy rebounded. The Village of Alert Bay was incorporated in 1946 as the fishing and logging industries boomed. The harbour was jammed with fishing boats, and the main street was lined with shops and services.
Today, Alert Bay is a quiet little town renowned the world-over as the cultural and artistic centre of the Kwakwaka'wakw.
Source: Hello BC

The totem poles of Alert Bay are located on the old cemetery along the main road in Alert Bay. However, this is sacred ground and you cannot walk onto it.

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June 25th, 2016

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