Central Vancouver in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia — Canada’s West Coast (North America)

Indian Totem Poles

Photographed by Adam Margolis, October 9, 2023

1. Indian Totem Poles Marker

Inscription. The totem was the British Columbia Indian's "Coat of arms", totem poles are unique to the North west coast of B.C. and lower Alaska. They were carved from western red cedar and each carving tells of a real or mythical event. They were not idols, nor were they worshipped. Each carving on each pole has a meaning. The eagle represents the kingdom of the air, The whale, the lordship of the sea. The wolf, the genius of the land and the frog, the transitional link between land and sea.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Indigenous Peoples and Communities.

Location. 49° 17.945′ N, 123° 7.26′ W. Marker is in Vancouver, British Columbia, in Metro Vancouver. It is in Central Vancouver. It is on Brockton Point Trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Vancouver BC V6G 3E2, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on British Columbia’s Lower Mainland

and in Coast & Mountains.

Globally, it is in North America,

in the Cascade Range,

in the Inside Passage,

on the Ring of Fire,

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the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Chief Skedans Mortuary Pole (here, next to this marker); Ga'akstalas (here, next to this marker); Thunderbird House Post (a few steps from this marker); Sky Chief Pole (a few steps from this marker); Kakaso'las (a few steps from this marker); Chief Wakas Pole (a few steps from this marker); Oscar Maltipi Pole (within shouting distance of this marker); Beaver Crest Pole (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vancouver.

More about this marker. Marker is in Stanley Park on the Brockton Point Trail.

Also see . . . First Nations art and totem poles (City of Vancouver).

Excerpt: The nine totem poles at Brockton Point are BC's most visited tourist attraction.

The collection started at Lumberman's Arch in the 1920s, when the Park Board bought four totems from Vancouver Island's Alert Bay. More purchased totems came from Haida
Photographed by Adam Margolis, October 9, 2023

2. Indian Totem Poles
Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands) and the BC central coast Rivers Inlet, to celebrate the 1936 Golden Jubilee. In the mid 1960s, the totem poles were moved to the attractive and accessible Brockton Point.

(Submitted on November 24, 2023.)

Photographed by Adam Margolis, October 9, 2023

3. Indian Totem Poles Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 24, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 14, 2023, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. This page has been viewed 295 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 14, 2023, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.