Carved to honour the Tla-o-qui-aht hereditary chiefs, this totem in Tofino was gifted to Tofino by Tla-o-qui-aht master carver Joe David in September 2018. From the top down, each element bears significant representation.
A Thunderbird at the top, perches above a humpback whale. Both represent hereditary chiefs or Ha’wiih. A sun on the stomach of the Thunderbird represents the power of life with the blowhole of the whale representing the chiefs alive at the time of the dedication. The two small knuckles on the whale reflect mountain peaks in the the traditional land or Ha-Hoothlee of the Tla-o-qui-aht Nation. At the base is a likeness of the carver’s granddaughter, Saya-hupalth, with Saya symbolizing the future.
It’s interesting to know that David, using a pencil, outlined his granddaughter by having her lie down on the carving. The log itself is 15 feet of Western Red Cedar, unique to the coastal areas of British Columbia. Western Red Cedar holds great spiritual significance for Indigenous peoples along the West Coast.
Although some totems are painted upon completion, carver David left the pole natural so the salty sea air would eventually stain the cedar silver. Notice in the photos taken in 2019 how the cedar is still bearing its natural colour yet in the photos taken in 2022 the sea air has transformed the totem as David had intended.
You can see the totem for yourself when visiting Tofino, B.C. Located in Anchor Park just off the main downtown area and overlooking Clayoquot Sound and Meares Island. As David intended, it is for Tofino and “everyone who stands before it.”
If you enjoyed this why not share it with a friend or post about it on social media. Thank you for reading and sharing your time with me. — Diane
Well don’t listen to *me* … this has been my first visit to your blog … but I’ll be adding it to my directory in a minute and will be back for more and, to my taste, the more [good blogging] the merrier! Even daily, should the mood strike you, would never be too much for me. -Kate
i don’t know that i’ve ever seen would turn such a lovely shade of grey.
(you should post as often as your creativity permits)