Trail Bay
Hwy 101
1
Shorncliffe Ave
Trail Bay
Shopping Centre
Trail Ave
Inlet Ave
Cowrie St
6
Sinku Dr
Xenichen Ave
Ch
e
l
p
iA
ve
Seiner Ln
Sechelt
Elementary
4
Band Hall
Starfish Ln
Medusa St
Hwy 101
➔
To Wilson Creek
Raven’s
Cry
2
Dolphin St
Hackett Park
11
Xweu
s St
3
Mermaid St
Ocean Ave
Trail Ave
Wharf Ave
Sechelt shíshálh
Hospital
5
Tsain-Ko
Shopping Centre
7
Ebbtide St
ve
arf A
h
W
ve
Trail A
Pebble Cres
Xenichen Ave
Ti’la Way
8
Ted Dixon Park
Rd
t
ay
Osprey S
eB
ois
orp
EP
Numbers correlate to the explanatory text on the
inside of the brochure.
TOTEM POLES
OF SECHELT
N
Kw
ata
m
u
sA
ve
Sch
e
i
x
wen
Rd
d
Anchor R
Porpoise Bay
9
10
SIB Industrial Park
THE TOTEM POLES OF SECHELT ARE IMPRESSIVE
INDICATIONS OF THE RICH CULTURAL AND
ARTISTIC HERITAGE OF THE SHÍSHÁLH (SECHELT)
TOTEM POLES
OF SECHELT
NATION AND OTHER FIRST NATIONS GROUPS.
Totem poles are monuments created by Pacific Northwest
First Nations, typically out of red cedar, to document the
stories and histories of community and clan members. They
display depictions of animals or mythological figures, often
representing themes and concepts relevant to specific events or
individuals.
INTERPRETIVE GUIDE AND MAP
Many totems in the Sechelt area include the figures of wolf,
grizzly bear, killer whale, frog and eagle. The first four represent
the four main clans of the shíshálh people. Collectively, the
shíshálh First Nation is represented by the figure of a doubleheaded eagle.
Take a moment to stroll around Sechelt and visit these beautiful
historic and contemporary totem poles. You’ll find a handy
map in this brochure to lead you on a self-guided tour of these
treasures.
Thank you to Susan Blockberger, Candace Campo, Lori Dixon,
Bradley Hunt, Lenora Joe, Kerry Mahlman, Fran Nahanee, Tony Paul
and Taylor Preston for helping to compile this information.
Sechelt Visitor Centre
A project of Sunshine Coast Community Services Society
www.secheltvisitorcentre.com
Generously funded by Destination BC
Design, map and photography: Roger Handling / Terra Firma Digital Arts
Xenichen Ave
Trail Bay
1
Sinku Dr
Ch
elp
iA
ve
Cowrie St
Inlet Ave
Trail Bay
Shopping Centre
Trail Ave
Shorncliffe Ave
Hwy 101
6
Sechelt
Elementary
Seiner Ln
➔
To Wilson Creek
Wharf Ave
Trail Ave
Ocean Ave
Raven’s
Cry
5
Tsain-Ko
Shopping Centre
Xenichen Ave
Ti’la Way
ve
arf A
Wh
ve
Trail A
11
Hwy 101
Xweu
s St
3
Mermaid St
4
Band Hall
Starfish Ln
2
Dolphin St
Hackett Park
Medusa St
Sechelt shíshálh
Hospital
7
Pebble Cres
Ebbtide St
8
Ted Dixon Park
d
yR
a
eB
ois
p
r
o
EP
N
Kw
ata
mu
sA
ve
t
Osprey S
Numbers correlate to the explanatory text on the
inside of the brochure.
TOTEM POLES
OF SECHELT
Sch
eixw
en R
d
d
Anchor R
Porpoise Bay
10
9
SIB Industrial Park
THE TOTEM POLES OF SECHELT ARE IMPRESSIVE
INDICATIONS OF THE RICH CULTURAL AND
ARTISTIC HERITAGE OF THE SHÍSHÁLH (SECHELT)
TOTEM POLES
OF SECHELT
NATION AND OTHER FIRST NATIONS GROUPS.
Totem poles are monuments created by Pacific Northwest
First Nations, typically out of red cedar, to document the
stories and histories of community and clan members. They
display depictions of animals or mythological figures, often
representing themes and concepts relevant to specific events or
individuals.
INTERPRETIVE GUIDE AND MAP
Many totems in the Sechelt area include the figures of wolf,
grizzly bear, killer whale, frog and eagle. The first four represent
the four main clans of the shíshálh people. Collectively, the
shíshálh First Nation is represented by the figure of a doubleheaded eagle.
Take a moment to stroll around Sechelt and visit these beautiful
historic and contemporary totem poles. You’ll find a handy
map in this brochure to lead you on a self-guided tour of these
treasures.
Thank you to Susan Blockberger, Candace Campo, Lori Dixon,
Bradley Hunt, Lenora Joe, Kerry Mahlman, Fran Nahanee, Tony Paul
and Taylor Preston for helping to compile this information.
Sechelt Visitor Centre
A project of Sunshine Coast Community Services Society
www.secheltvisitorcentre.com
Generously funded by Destination BC
Design, map and photography: Roger Handling / Terra Firma Digital Arts
Ko Village website (www.tsainkovillage.com) and describes the totems
from right to left as you stand facing them.
TOTEM #1: Carved by Andrew Puglas Jr. (U’magalis) and Patrick
Hunt (Kwinsistalagalis) in 2007
Top Figure: Thunderbird – The thunderbird represents strength and is
one of the most powerful figures to place on a totem pole amongst the
Kwakwaka’wakw people. It has strong history and is the healing power
of the Northwest Coast First Nations people.
1
3
1. TRAIL BAY WATERFRONT TOTEMS
Five totems line the waterfront of Trail Bay, on Sinku Drive. One
pole represents the people from xénichén (Hunaechin), now called
Queen’s Reach in Jervis Inlet. The other poles represent the people
from ts’únay (Deserted Bay in Jervis Inlet), the téwánkw (from
Sechelt, Salmon and Narrows Inlets), and the sxixus (from Lang Bay
and Pender Harbour to the Roberts Creek area). A fifth and final
pole represents the shíshálh Nation as it exists today. This pole is
located in the center of the other four and marks the amalgamation
of these clans to form the modern day Sechelt Band. These totems
were carved by Tom Billy, Arnold Jones, Tony Paul, and Jamie Jeffries.
They were raised between 1996 and 2000 to mark the Sechelt Indian
Band’s 10th Anniversary of self-governing in 1996.
Arnold Jones flank the doorway at the side of the building.
Also, in front of the Hall are two totems, carved by Jimmy Joseph,
Frank Dixon and Jamie Jeffries, commemorating the achievement of
self-government by the Sechelt Indian Band.
2. TOTEM IN FRONT OF
RAVEN’S CRY THEATRE
This totem was carved by Jamie
Jeffries sometime in the 1990’s. It
depicts an eagle, killer whale, and
wolf.
There are several totems around
the Sechelt Band Hall on Swiyk’als
2
Drive (corner of Swyk’als Drive
and Xenichen Road). On the front
of the building are three totems honouring the Sechelt elders. The
centre pole was carved by Arnold Jones, and was erected in 1984.
It has a plaque reading “Hunaechin—raised in honour of our elders”.
As you face the Hall, the totem on the left corner of the building is
titled ‘Kwatamus’, and the one on the right corner of the building is
‘Chatelech’ (chálich is the name of the town of Sechelt). These two
poles were carved by Jamie Jeffries and erected in 1983 to honour the
Sechelt people and their new public hall. Two more totems carved by ➤
TOTEM #2: Carved by Tony Paul (Antuni) in 2007
On the lawn in front of the Sechelt Band Hall a circle of totems
carved by Jamie Jeffries surrounds a plaque describing the Sechelt
Nation. Originally a group of seven figures, now only four remain.
Three of these figures were faceless, representing the band’s position
under the Indian Act. Three others had faces, representing the band’s
position and identity as a self-governing people. The seventh totem in
this group has a plaque honouring David Crombie, Minister of Indian
and Northern Affairs in 1984. David Crombie set up a transition team
to work with the band in developing Bill C-93, the self-government
enabling legislation.
Top Figure: Raven releasing the Sun – The raven is releasing the sun
and giving us life and the Sunshine Coast its sunshine.
4. TOTEM IN FRONT OF THE SOCIAL
DEVELOPMENT BUILDING
Second Figure: The Welcome Figure – The welcome figure, holding
its arms out in greeting, is welcoming people of other nations to the
Sechelt community.
Behind the Raven’s Cry Theatre, in front of the Band’s Social
Development Building, stands a totem carved by Jamie Jefferies and
erected in 2012. This pole was
raised in honour of military
veterans from the Sechelt
Nation.
3. TOTEMS AROUND THE
BAND HALL
Bottom Figure: Tsuno’kwa (Wild Woman of the Woods) – Tsuno’kwa
is the highest ranking figure to place on a totem pole; it shows the
wealth of the community and its families. Amongst the Kwa’gulth it
shows how noble the family is and where they stand in the ranking
system of the Kwa’kwa’ka- wakw people. The Tsuno’Kwa comes from
both the Puglas and Hunt family and is the first mask shown in a
potlatch.
Bottom Figure: Human Figure with Tsain-Ko – The human figure
represents our ancestors. The double headed sea serpent runs up
the ancestral figure. This is “Tsain-Ko” after which Tsain-Ko Village is
named.
TOTEM #3: Carved by Richard Baker and Matthew Baker in 2007
Top Figure: The Eagle – The eagle on the top of the totem pole with
its wings out is the spiritual bird that watches over all our communities.
5
5. TSAIN-KO VILLAGE
SHOPPING CENTRE
TOTEMS
4
On the corner of Highway 101
and Ti’ta Way stands a group of
five totems, erected in 2007.
The bulk of the information
below is taken from the Tsain- ➤
Third Figure: The Killer Whale – The killer whale, “Hunter of the Sea”
represents family and togetherness.
pole of the spirit wolf was carved
by Jamie Jeffries. These poles were
erected in memory of Ted Dixon,
a respected Sechelt Indian Band
councillor.
TOTEM #4: Carved by: Tony Paul (Antuni) in 2007
Figures Below: Animal Symbols – All the animal figures below the
watchman represent the band crest for each of the band’s traditional
areas. These are: the wolf, the killer whale, the grizzly bear, the frog,
and the eagle
TOTEM #5: Carved by: Tony Paul (Antuni), Matthew Baker and
Richard Baker in 2007
Top Figure: Thunderbird – the thunderbird is the spiritual guardian of
the Sechelt Nation.
Second Figure: Lady Figure with Drum – The lady figure represents
our elders. The lady is holding a drum which symbolizes singing songs
to the other totem poles. On the drum is a double headed eagle which
represents the Sechelt Nation’s crest.
6. SECHELT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TOTEM
On Cowrie Street and Shorncliffe Ave, a totem stands in front of
the former Sechelt Elementary
School. This pole was designed
by Bradley Hunt, a Heiltsuk
First Nations artist from Bella
Bella. Before deciding to pursue
his art full-time, Mr. Hunt was a
much-respected teacher at the
school, and students carved the
totem with him and other band
members. The pole was erected in
1985. The two main figures on the
pole are the eagle and a human.
The eagle was the crest of Sechelt
6
Elementary School at the time.
The human figure below the eagle represents the teacher. In the body
of the human is a smaller human representing the child, or children
of the school. On the body of the child is a copper which represents
wealth—in this case the wealth is knowledge. Mr. Hunt also designed
the logo for School District No. 46 (Sunshine Coast).
7. SECHELT SHÍSHÁLH HOSPITAL
EXTERIOR: Standing outside the entrance to the Sechelt shíshálh
Hospital Emergency Room are three new poles carved by Tony Paul
and Dion Louie. The totem pole on the left, carved by Dion Louie, and ➤
Photo: Allan Forest
Top Figure: The Watchman – The top figure is the watchman, keeping
an eye on all the shíshálh territories.
7
9
features an eagle (representing strength, leadership & prestige), wolf
(intelligence, leadership & strong sense of family), raven (creation,
knowledge & humour), and beaver (creativity & determination).
The totem pole on the right was carved by Tony Paul and is titled The
Healing Pole. The figure at the top is a watchman, providing protection
for the hospital and the surrounding area. There is also an eagle, a
hummingbird and a human. There is a sun on the chest of the eagle,
radiating healing and peace. The hummingbird is the healer, fulfilling
the creator’s promise that those who suffer injury or loss will be
restored. The human figure represents the staff and volunteers in the
hospital who take care of those in their time of need. The blanket that
is wrapped around the figure signifies that they are being honoured for
the work they are doing.
The pole in the centre was also carved by Tony Paul and is called
The Welcome Pole. It features a figure with open arms (a traditional
greeting) facing people as they come to the hospital.
INTERIOR: Just inside the main entrance of the hospital is a wooden
mural created by local artist Shain Jackson with the help of students,
using only recycled materials. The large sun represents regeneration,
growth, and new beginnings.
The canoe symbolizes working
8
together. The four canoeists
shown represent unity in diversity
according to Jackson.
FOR MORE TOTEM
POLES CHECK
OUT THESE OTHER
LOCATIONS
8. TED DIXON PARK: Two
totems overlook the playing fields
at Ted Dixon Park on Kwatamus
Avenue. The taller pole was carved
by Bradley Hunt, and the shorter ➤
9. SECHELT BAND INDUSTRIAL
PARK ENTRANCE: At the corner
of East Porpoise Bay Road and Black
Bear Road, a totem carved by Tony
Paul marks the entrance to the
Sechelt Band’s industrial park. This
pole is called “The Spirit of Tita” and
is in memory of Clarence Joe Senior.
This pole is a protection pole, providing
protection to people who enter the
Sechelt Industrial Park. From top to
bottom, it depicts the eagle, killer
whale (in the wing of the eagle), wolf,
grizzly bear, and frog, symbols of the
clans of the shíshálh Nation.
10. SALISH SOILS: Salish Soils,
on Black Bear Road just up the road
from East Porpoise Bay Road, has a
small demonstration garden beside their office. It contains one of the
totems carved by Jamie Jeffries that used to be in the circle of totems
in front of the Band Hall.
10
11. SUNSHINE COAST REGIONAL DISTRICT: A protection
pole stands in front of the Sunshine Coast Regional District Offices
at 1975 Field Road. Carved by Tony Paul, this totem was erected in
2009. The base of the pole is a grizzly bear, signifying protection of
the land. Above the bear is an
eagle, its wings sheltering a
11
frog. The frog represents unity,
and here signifies the unity of
the people working together
to protect the watershed. The
eagle represents protection
from the air, and here indicates
both protection of the
watershed and protection of the
friendship between people on
the Sunshine Coast.