Randy Frank and I are once again carving two new totem poles for the K’omoks First Nation. Two fourteen foot red cedar logs will be transformed into cultural markers signifying the unceded traditional territory of the K’omoks People since time immemorial. These two poles will be number seven and eight carved for the Nation in the past four years. I am humbled and proud of the immense pride our people take in ensuring that K’omoks continues to preserve our interest in the land and support our cultural practices.
Pole Raising in K’omoks
On Saturday, July 8, the K’omoks First Nation raised the totem pole that I completed in the Fall of 2016. As a Northwest Coast First Nations Artist, I’m proud to see indigenous art being embraced by my nation. It is important for me to demonstrate our K’omoks and Kwakwaka’wakw ancestry. This pole is a thunderbird – one of the crests of K’omoks – and guardian figure holding a grave box, which will stand watch over our ancestors.