CBC at Hamilton & Georgia (Repatriated 2006-07)

Re-patriated: Totem pole at CBC at Hamilton & Georgia removed as of June, 2006 49.2796508054,-123.114234861 This pole's story has a happy ending. In June 2006, CBC/Radio-Canada repatriated theas part of the redevelopment project for the Vancouver CBC building. The Kwaguilth totem pole that used to sit at the front of the CBC/Radio-Canada building at 700 Hamilton Street has been returned to the traditional territory of the Kwaguilth people. The pole was lowered on Monday, June 26 under the direction of the artist, Richard Hunt, and was transported to Fort Rupert, B.C. This initiative is part of the ongoing Building Redevelopment Project currently underway at CBC/Radio-Canada in Vancouver. The totem pole stood proudly in front of the CBC/Radio-Canada Production Centre for almost 25 years since being commissioned by the Royal British Columbia Museum and CBC/Radio-Canada in 1982.

Internationally renowned artist Richard Hunt carved and erected the pole, with the assistance of Tim Paul.

 

The top figure is a Kulus, or immature Thunderbird, the main crest of Richard Hunt. The middle figure is a bear holding a wild woman, and at the bottom is a sea monster. The log is western red cedar, approximately 27 feet long and a wing span of 10 feet. The pole is carved in traditional Kwaguilth style and painted with latex house paint in colours red, black, brown, yellow and green.. “The redevelopment of the Vancouver Production Centre is an exciting project,” says Ken Golemba, Project Manager for the Vancouver Redevelopment Project. “It involves several partners and consultants, lots of great ideas and a variety of decisions -- not the least of which was the totem pole removal and relocation. We sought the input from a number of different Aboriginal participants with the final decision made to return the pole to the Kwaguilth People.” “It is a great gift from CBC/Radio-Canada and wonderful to know that this totem pole will be returning to Fort Rupert,” says Richard Hunt. Richard saw a pod of killer whales on his flight over to Vancouver that morning. In Kwaguilth culture, killer whales are said to be the spirits of the great chiefs. Richard took this as a sign that the chiefs were happy the pole was coming home to Fort Rupert. The Kwaguilth will host a celebration in Fort Rupert later in the year to celebrate the return of the totem pole to its traditional territory.

For more information about artist Richard Hunt, please visit www.richardhunt.com