Header - Thunder Bird Park

Title - Late Park

Haida PoleThunderbird Park, 1951.
BC Government photograph. BC Archives I-21004.

Haida Pole, 1925
Carver: Robert Ridley

This Haida pole was erected in Thunderbird Park sometime between 1941 and 1945. It was carved in 1925 by a Haida man from Massett named Owt’iwans (Robert Ridley) whose personal style is evident on the pole. The pole was presented to Walter Cameron Nichol, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia from 1920 to 1926, and installed on the grounds of Government House in Victoria before it was moved to Thunderbird Park. 
RBCM 6376.

 

Haida PoleThunderbird Park, 1951.BC Government photograph. BC Archives I-21004.

 
Eagle, standing on the head of an unidentified creature.
Shaman, wearing face paint, a dance apron and a headdress of feathers or claws, holding a rattle in each hand. Shamans are often depicted holding circular rattles such as these. Headdresses made from grizzly bear claws are also part of the traditional shaman’s costume and may be alluded to here. 
Beaver, indicated by large incisors, raised paws (which usually hold a stick) and a flat, upturned tail. 
Human face under the Beaver’s tail. This face may be associated with the figures of Bear and cub below it. 

Bear, holding a cub. Along with the small face above the Bear’s head, these figures may portray the Haida story about a woman Sisiyutł who marries a bear and has children that are part human and part bear. 

Frog, below the Bear cub. Frogs change form over their lifetimes and inhabit both water and land. These transformations associate them with the supernatural world.
Eagle, with short curved beak and white legs and tail. The eyes painted on the wings refer to traditional Haida formline designs.
 

Haida Pole in Thunderbird ParkThunderbird Park, 1969. BC Government photograph. RBCM PN 12988-9.
Haida PoleThunderbird Park, 1951. BC Government photograph.
BC Archives I-21003.
Close up of EagleThunderbird Park, 1951. BC Government photograph. BC Archives I-21003.
Close up of SamanThunderbird Park, 1951.
BC Government photograph.
BC Archives I-21003.
Close up of BeaverThunderbird Park, 1951. BC Government photograph.
BC Archives I-21003.
Close up of FrogThunderbird Park, 1951. BC Government photograph. BC Archives I-21003.
Close up of EagleThunderbird Park, 1951. BC Government photograph. BC Archives I-21003.
Haida Pole amongst the treesGovernment House grounds, Victoria.
RBCM PN 5810.
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