Artists of Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation are taking the lead in carving a commemorative pole to honour all those who attended residential school.
Master carver Joe Martin said he was approached by his sister Nora Martin last year to ask if he would be interested in taking the lead in the project. She told him there was funding in place through the Truth and Reconciliation Program.
“I had a log that was perfect for the project and I started to think about what crests to put on the pole,” Joe said.
“The crests are from houses from all up and down the coast, all Nuu-chah-nulth nations,” Joe said. At the base of the pole is a bear holding a salmon followed by a wolf, a human, a pair of serpents and all topped off with the sun.
These crests are representative of all Nuu-chah-nulth houses, Martin explained. The human, in particular, represents all Nuu-chah-nulth people. The hair of the human is chopped short; in Nuu-chah-nulth culture, indicative of mourning for all who were lost in the residential school era.
The serpents, Martin said, are important because in residential schools the children were taught by the religious orders that they are evil.
“In our culture they are positive; they represent our chiefs,” said Martin.
Joe credits his late father Robert Martin and other elders for teaching him the culture. When the Martin siblings were young their father would tell them to get ready to go out fishing, hunting or whatever the activity of the day was.
“It wasn't a choice. We had to do it,” said Martin. And when they were out working with the elders they were told about why things are the way they are.
“My dad, Chief Ben Andrews, Jerry Jack, Harry Charlie, Na-waa-sim, they would all teach us what we know today,” Joe said.
“I think (this project) has helped the carvers on their healing journey and it will continue to help the people heal as they grow in understanding their culture,” Joe said.
The project was launched over the Christmas holidays, but the real carving didn't start until after the new year.
John Hayes, George Manson and Carl Martin started work on the pole in the early stages, but some couldn't come back to finish. Others came on board, including Marc Mickey and his son Marcus Jr.
Almost all of the artists were residential school survivors.
All of the carving is complete and the pole is resting in a shed at Ty-histanis. The artists are waiting for dry weather to paint the pole and mount the sun rays.
Plans for raising the pole and selection of a site are in the works.
