Memorial Totem Pole

Memorial Totem Pole

British Columbia
19th century
totem pole
first nations,
museum
memorial
Gitanyow
Kitwancool

This is a memorial Totem pole created in the memory of a member of the Gitanyow house of the Kitwancool Tribe, now stored in a museum, yet the pole was only recently obtained by the museum at the end of the 20th century. This was created at a time of change for the indigenous peoples and shows that key parts of their culture and belief system were still unaffected despite the influence of colonialism. This totem pole has many references to the life and experiences of the person who died as well as their belief system. The time in which it was created demonstrates the fact that indigenous culture was not entirely erased during colonial times and the First Nations were not an extinct entity. This reinforces the significance of the theme of first peoples throughout 19th century British Columbia.

Haesemhliyawn

UBC Museum of Anthropology

Link: http://collection-online.moa.ubc.ca/search/item?place_made%5B0%5D=62192&row=13

1800-1899

Samuel Armitage

UBC Museum of Anthropology

N/A

Material Object - wooden totem pole

19th century British Columbia