Inmates at the Vancouver Island Regional Correctional Centre in Saanich are hoping to raise a 41-foot totem pole carved from a 340-year-old cedar log this fall.

Tsawout brothers Tom and Aubrey LaFortune are teaching participants how to design and carve a totem pole alongside the jailB次元官网网址檚 Indigenous cultural liaison, Max Henry. The project began last summer to provide inmates with a greater sense of community and connection with the land theyB次元官网网址檙e on B次元官网网址� whether Indigenous or not.

ItB次元官网网址檚 helping inmates build practical skills in drawing and woodworking and learn cultural teachings that will prepare them for life on the outside. ItB次元官网网址檚 the first project of its kind for a maximum-security institution and itB次元官网网址檚 putting the corrections back in correctional, according to Tom LaFortune.

B次元官网网址淥ne of the rules around the pole is that everyoneB次元官网网址檚 on a first-name basis,B次元官网网址� he said, adding some corrections officers have also joined in the carving.

Etched into the totem are images of the eagle, the owl, the wolf, the frog, the beaver B次元官网网址� all important symbols of strength, healing, community and family B次元官网网址� and four paddles representing the Salish, Nu-Chah-Nulth, KwakwakaB次元官网网址檞akw and non-First Nation peoples.

Dion Sam-Joseph, also from the Tsawout First Nation, joined the team of carvers about three months ago when he saw some fellow inmates carving the cedar log from his cell window. While he hasnB次元官网网址檛 been on the project too long, heB次元官网网址檚 been able to connect with his Indigenous identity, and more importantly, feel human.

B次元官网网址淓verything about this is a positive experience. This projectB次元官网网址檚 been an eye opener to all the positives that can come out of (it) B次元官网网址� whether itB次元官网网址檚 a short stay or a long stay in here B次元官网网址� it just brings you back to your roots,B次元官网网址� he said.

B次元官网网址淭o say the least, it gets us out of that concrete jungle, or cell, for a couple of hours out in the sun. ThereB次元官网网址檚 sharing, thereB次元官网网址檚 teaching, thereB次元官网网址檚 learning and a lot of camaraderie.B次元官网网址�

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