Behind Brooks Secondary School, a group of students has been working on a 16-foot, red cedar pole donated by Tla’amin Nation and hegus Clint Williams.
Using first nations’ traditional tools, under the tutelage of carvers Ivan Rosypskye and Phil Russell, 12 students have been carving a totem pole that, when completed, will stand as the welcome pole at the school’s main entrance.
“To be part of this is quite an honour; to be teaching these young kids,” said Russell.
Grade eight student Brody Krause, 13, said the process is about how indigenous people carved and the tales they carved about. He and his fellow students are currently working on the rounding, finishing and finer details of the pole.
“I’ve learned that carving is more than just putting a knife in wood,” said Krause. “It’s more about the craftsmanship and how you think about it.”
Grade 11 student Tristan Gilham, 16, participated in the project when the body of the log was being shaped. He said he learned about the tools, how to use them and how to carve traditionally.
Ahms Tah Ow School teacher Jason Rae and education assistant Lindsay Louie conceived the idea as a means of education in indigenous culture.
“If we can reach a few who embrace it, that’s great, and we have reached quite a few, actually, both first nations and non-first nations,” said Rae. “They’re learning a better understanding and appreciation of the culture.”
Rae said the early stages of learning about another culture will often come through conversations with Rosypskye or Russell.
He added that Rosypskye, who has been involved in a number of first nations’ carving projects at School District 47 schools, will talk about his experiences in residential schools to give students a deeper understanding and appreciation of the culture and history of BC’s first people.
“This is just part of the truth and reconciliation we’re going through,” said Rae. “It’s the early stages of that. Let’s learn about another culture. Let’s understand what’s going on.”
Russell said he believes young people are going to change Canada through the process of truth and reconciliation.
Groundbreaking for the totem pole will begin shortly, according to Rae, with the official unveiling celebration planned for June 14.
“It’s going to tell its own story,” said Rae. “It’s going to be unique.”
Brooks’ symbol of the Thunderbird will feature prominently, according to Rae.
The welcome pole at Brooks will not be the last for the school district. Each year, a new pole will be created.
“We’re going to do a welcome figure at every school,” said school district principal of personalized learning programs Rod Perrault, who helping to coordinate the project. “This is the first, then we’re going to do one at each of the schools and have a carver working with the kids.”
