Lakeshore Park Kwakiutl Totem Pole SK
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Description: The Totem Pole, situated in Lakeshore Park within Wascana Centre, was a generous gift to Saskatchewan from the government of British Columbia in 1971. This gesture commemorated the centenary of the union, which took place on July 20, 1871, marking the joining of the province of British Columbia with the Dominion of Canada. Saskatchewan's totem pole is one of 12 that were presented to Canadian Centers. Crafted from Western Red Cedar by Mr. Lloyd Wadhams of the Nimpkish Indian Band, British Columbia's gift to Saskatchewan stands at 16 feet tall, with a diameter of three and a half feet, weighing approximately 3,500 pounds. In 2016, the Totem Pole underwent a restoration process after enduring years of weathering and damage. Master Carver Lloyd Wadhams Jr., the son of the original craftsman, undertook this extensive work. In addition to revitalizing the entire Totem Pole, new wings and antennae were crafted and installed. The Totem Pole is fashioned in the design of the Kwakiutl Nation. Its most prominent feature is the imposing Thunderbird, a figure of great significance in Indigenous mythology as the noble and all-powerful ruler of the skies and master of the elements. Across the coastal tribes, the Great Eagle, as it is also known, is held in deep respect. For the Kwakiutl, it particularly symbolizes family unity and the supernatural force that aided in the construction of the first dwelling. The human form adorning its breast embodies both supernatural and human attributes.