Earlier today at the Dze L K’ant Friendship Centre, a brand new totem pole known as the Brother pole was raised.
Mike Dangeli, the main carver of the pole, was unfortunately unable to attend the raising due to flooding in the southern part of BC.
Luckily he was still able to give a speech over the phone on what the different parts of the pole meant.
The bottom figure is meant to represent a box of treasures where ceremonial items such masks and regalia are held, along with everyday items like food and other clothing.
The copper shield on the side of pole is meant to represent a dance group whose English name is the people of the copper shield.
The red hand on the side is intended to represent murdered and missing Indigenous women.
Dangeli also made sure to point out that this pole is to also honor the men and LBGTQ+ Indigenous people who have gone missing but don’t receive as much attention.
Another part of the pole represents Residential school survivors.
The different animals represent the selected face paint of the four clans of Dangeli’s people and above the animals is a chief to honor the clan’s ancestors.
And just like the grandmother pole that Dangeli completed earlier this year, the chief has wings that can represent any clan’s bird.
The chief’s headgear shows off the wealth of his people on the top of his crown.
And to top off his speech, Dangeli expressed his thanks for the being raised and prayed that no more members of his people will go missing.
The Friendship centre also sent out a statement saying that they are extremely thankful for all the businesses that helped raise the pole.
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