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

Chief Wakas Pole

Photographed by Adam Margolis, October 9, 2023

1. Chief Wakas Pole Marker

Inscription.
IN KWAKWAKA'WAKW (KWAKIUTL) CEREMONIES, CARVED staffs called talking sticks are held by people making important speeches on behalf of a chief. This pole represents the talking stick and characters in an Owikeno story belonging to Chief Wakas. The original pole was raised in front of Chief Wakas' house in Alert Bay in the 1890s. The raven's beak opened to form a ceremonial entrance to the house, while the raven's body was painted on the house front. Nimpkish artist Doug Cranmer, who has inherited Chief Wakas' crests, carved this new pole in 1987.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical year for this entry is 1987.

Location. 49° 17.954′ N, 123° 7.266′ 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 at or near this postal address: 1501 Brockton Point Trail, Vancouver BC V6G 3E2, Canada. Touch for directions.

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

and in Coast & Mountains.

Globally,

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it is in North America,

in the Cascade Range,

in the Inside Passage,

on the Ring of Fire,

in 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: Kakaso'las (here, next to this marker); Sky Chief Pole (a few steps from this marker); Thunderbird House Post (a few steps from this marker); Oscar Maltipi Pole (a few steps from this marker); Beaver Crest Pole (a few steps from this marker); Ga'akstalas (a few steps from this marker); Indian Totem Poles (a few steps from this marker); Chief Skedans Mortuary Pole (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vancouver.

Photographed by Adam Margolis, October 9, 2023

2. Chief Wakas Pole Marker

Photographed by Adam Margolis, October 9, 2023

3. Chief Wakas Pole Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 21, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 15, 2023, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. This page has been viewed 325 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 15, 2023, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.