Indigenous artists aim to carve out new paths to healing by sculpting a 26-foot pole on the front steps of the Royal BC Museum.
Perry and Tom LaFortune, brothers and carvers from the Tsawout Nation, will discuss their process and provide interpretation as they work on the pole now through October, when the finished piece will be erected outside the Ministry of Health building in Victoria.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 an experience,B次元官网网址� Perry says of carving on the tourist-heavy front steps of the RBCM. B次元官网网址淪ome people have seen these poles carved already and theyB次元官网网址檙e just amazed at all of the work thatB次元官网网址檚 involved in what we do and how we do it.B次元官网网址�
The brothers were nominated by the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations, on whose traditional territory the museum sits, as part of the collaborative project between the RBCM, Ministry of Health and forestry management company TimberWest.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a lot of fine work, a lot of finesse and thereB次元官网网址檚 a lot of creativity as well,B次元官网网址� Perry says of carving the cedar pole that will depict the familyB次元官网网址檚 matriarch holding a rope that extends to an owl and up into the claws of a raven.
The project is particularly special to him and his brother. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e done a lot of carvings over the years, but this is the first time weB次元官网网址檝e done something that has such deep meaning for us.B次元官网网址�
He calls the work B次元官网网址渁 representation of who our people are and how we are.B次元官网网址�
The theme of the pole, Crossing Cultures and Healing, meant more to the pair than simply calling it a reconciliation pole.
B次元官网网址淩econciliation has so many different meanings and itB次元官网网址檚 two wrongs being righted,B次元官网网址� he explains. B次元官网网址淏ut weB次元官网网址檝e never really done anything wrong except exist.B次元官网网址�
TimberWest regularly donates logs to First Nations artists, says Monica Bailey, the companyB次元官网网址檚 director of communications. The museum B次元官网网址� looking to resurrect their carving program B次元官网网址� reached out to the Island-based company and the pole, chosen by the brothers at first sight, comes from Gwawaenuk territory on the North Island.
The museum represents all British Columbians and this project is really bringing the art back to the people, Bailey says.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 an opportunity for people to understand that itB次元官网网址檚 more than just totem carving,B次元官网网址� she explains. B次元官网网址淚t gives an opportunity to start bridging a conversation that is larger than just B次元官网网址榳hat does reconciliation mean?B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 about bringing people together,B次元官网网址� says Tsawout Nation master carver Perry LaFortune of the totem pole he and his brother Tom LaFortune will carve , part of a program in partnership w
B次元官网网址� Kristyn Anthony (@kristyn_anthony)
Access to the carving station is free, and the LaFortune brothers will be onsite Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. The public will also be able to track the progress of the carving at and on the museumB次元官网网址檚 Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts.
Until Aug. 3, the RBCM is also the venue for TimberWestB次元官网网址檚 First Nation Cultural Art Showcase program. Artists from Tsaxis, Wei Wai Kum, Sechelt and Snuneymuxw will engage the public in an immersive art experience a stoneB次元官网网址檚 throw from where the LaFortune brothers are carving. Their museum will exhibit their pieces in a two-week art show in September.
