Jasper, Alberta — Canada’s Prairie Region (North America)
Jasper's Raven Totem Pole 1915-2009
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Mât totémique du Corbeau de Jasper de 1915 à 2009
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 5, 2022
1. Jasper's Raven Totem Pole 1915-2009 / Mât totémique du Corbeau de Jasper de 1915 à 2009 Marker
A Jasper Landmark
For 94 years, a magnificent Haida totem pole stood proudly near Jasper's railway station. It was an important Jasper landmark and a colourful reminder of the community's early railway history.
Born in the Mists of Haida Gwaii
The Raven Totem Pole was carved in the 1870s in Haida Gwaii by Simeon Sdiihldaa, a Haida Chief of the Raven clan. The totem pole was over 12 metres tall.
Gateway to the Pacific Northwest
When the Grand Trunk Railway opened a northern rail route across the mountains to Prince Rupert in 1914, totem poles were a popular feature along the route. The Raven Totem Pole arrived in Jasper in 1915.
Sentimental Journey Home
The totem pole deteriorated over the years and in 2009 had to be taken down. On June 21st, 2010 the Jasper Raven Totem Pole returned to its birthplace in Old Massett, Haida Gwaii and was repatriated to the Haida in a heartfelt ceremony.
[image captions]
• Jasper Raven Totem Pole March 2009 [Parks Canada]
• Vintage postcard showing the Raven Totem Pole in Massett, QC Island prior to its relocation to Jasper in 1915 [Dowling Collection, Parks Canada]
• Jasper Raven Totem Pole
this page online
• Raven
Un repère pour Jasper
Pendant 94 ans, un magnifique mât totémique haïda monta fièrement la garde près de la gare ferroviaire de Jasper. Cette sculpture aux couleurs vives était à la fois un repère important et un rappel des origines ferroviaires de la collectivité.
Issu du brouillard de Haida Gwaii
Le mât totémique du Corbeau avait été sculpté dans les années 1870 à Haida Gwaii par Simeon Sdiihldaa, chef haïda du clan du Corbeau. Il faisait plus de 12 m de hauteur.
Porte d'entrée de la côte du Pacifique
En 1914, lorsque le chemin de fer Grand Trunk Pacific inaugura sa ligne septentrionale à travers les montagnes jusqu'à Prince Rupert, plusieurs mâts totémiques jalonnaient la voie ferrée. Le mât totémique du Corbeau arriva à Jasper en 1915.
Un retour chargé d'émotion
Le mât totémique se détériora au fils des ans, à tel point que, en 2009, il fallut l'enlever. Le 21 juin 2010, le mât totémique du Corbeau de Jasper retourna à son lieu de naissance, à Old Massett, à Haida Gwaii. Il fut rendu aux Haïdas au cours d'une cérémonie
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 5, 2022
2. Jasper's Raven Totem Pole 1915-2009 / Mât totémique du Corbeau de Jasper de 1915 à 2009 Marker
[légendes d'images]
• Le mât totémique du Corbeau de Jasper; mars 2009 [Parcs Canada]
• Carte postale ancienne montrant le mât totémique du Corbeau à Massett, dans l'archipel de la Reine-Charlotte, avant son transport à Jasper en 1915 [Collection Dowling, Parcs Canada]
• Le mât totémique du Corbeau de Jasper à la gare de la Compagnie des chemins de fer nationaux du Canada à Jasper [B. Gibbons Whyte, Museum of the Canadian Rockies V227-3501]
• Corbeau
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Landmarks • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1915.
Location. 52° 52.633′ N, 118° 4.769′ W. Marker is in Jasper, Alberta. It is on Connaught Drive just north of Miette Avenue, on the right when traveling north. The marker is on the north side of the Two Brothers totem pole installed at this location in 2011. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 415 Connaught Drive, Jasper AB T0E 0A8, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Canadian Rockies. It is also
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 5, 2022
3. Two Brothers Totem Pole
Looking east from Connaught Drive. This marker is on the north/left side of the Two Brothers totem pole installed at this location in 2011.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Two Brothers Totem Pole 2011 / Mât totémique des Deux-Frères 2011 (here, next to this marker); Original Jasper National Park Information Centre (within shouting distance of this marker); Jasper Information Centre/Le centre d'information de Jasper (within shouting distance of this marker); The First Homesteaders / Les premiers homesteaders / Nistum Oota Ka Ki Weekichik (within shouting distance of this marker); A Lasting Legacy / Un legs durable / Aniskoonamakewin (within shouting distance of this marker); Memories of Home / Souvenirs d'un lieu de résidence / Weekiwawoo isitapatamook (within shouting distance of this marker); Gateway to a Community and a Park (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Jasper School District No. 3063/District scolaire 3063 de Jasper (about 210 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jasper.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . . Jasper’s Historic Raven Totem Pole (JasperNationalPark.com).
(By Amanda May, May 14th, 2010) Excerpt: Because of Jasper National Park‘s position along the early Canadian railroad, the town has been the proud owner of a magnificent Haida totem pole for nearly a century.(Submitted on September 29, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
The Haida people were the indigenous population of the northwest coast of North America. A master carver designed the original pole in the Queen Charlotte Islands sometime in the late 1800s (1870-1880). Experts say the large raven figure symbolizes the pole’s original owner’s family’s membership within the Raven clan of Haida society. In Haida culture, totem poles honor tribal leaders and families. Jasper’s Raven Totem Pole features figures representing long-standing Haida myths about “frog woman,” “grizzly bear mother,” “old woman” and “bullhead.”
Jasper’s Raven Totem pole stood tall near the railway station for more than 94 years, but was taken down on April 3, 2009 because of weather and structural damages. A traveling tour will celebrate the repatriation of the old pole to Haida Gwaii, British Columbia, and the installation of the new pole in Jasper.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 29, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 29, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
