After months of hard work, a totem pole is taking shape out in the First Nation community of Tl’etinqox-t’in (Anaham).
The cedar totem pole is destined for the 40th annual B.C. Elders Gathering in Williams Lake July 12 - 14. The event is expected to be the largest gathering ever of First Nations Elders from across British Columbia and will take place at various locations around the city, including the Stampede Grounds, the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Centre and Thompson Rivers University.
Pictured above working on the totem pole Monday are (from left); apprentice carver Brian Cooper, friend Tory Amut, carver Iver Stump, carver Skip Saunders (holding the Raven head) and volunteer Vincent Harry.
The pole will feature a raven to represent the Tsilhqot’in people, a killer whale to represent the Nuxhalk, a salmon to represent the Shuswap and the frog to represent the Carrier.
The men said they thought Boitanio Park would be the permanent home of the totem pole.