An 18-foot, colourful totem pole resembling a bear, frog and thunderbird now stands in front of Seaspan’s main office in North Vancouver.
Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) artist Darren Yelton was given the task of restoring the decades-old totem pole after facing natural damage over the years.
An “Opening of the Eyes” ceremony – a traditional celebration by the Squamish Nation – was held last month in front of Seaspan’s Pemberton location to share the newly finished totem pole, but also celebrate Yelton’s hard work.
“As a totem pole carver, I enjoy what I do. It’s in my culture. I’m keeping my history alive,” Yelton said.
The animals on the totem pole represent the Coast Salish people, and the pole's roots go back decades ago in Squamish Nation and North Vancouver history. The pole was originally carved by Squamish Nation carver Tommy Moses in 1948 as a gift to then North Vancouver mayor Charles Cates. After this, the pole stood by the Cates Building in Lonsdale Quay for more than 70 years.
By 2020, the pole was in poor shape – original colours had been painted over, worn and torn over time with holes from birds and rot. That year, the pole was taken down in a ceremony and put away in storage.
But Yelton received the call from Seaspan in 2024 asking if he could restore the totem pole, and he was taken aback.
“They were looking for a totem pole carver to restore it for over a year, and they couldn’t find anybody,” Yelton said. “I was honoured to get the call to restore this for Tommy Moses. His name will live on longer through our Nation.”
Once Yelton gave the OK to restore the totem pole, Seaspan transported the 18-foot pole on a large truck to his house near Lions Gate Bridge. Yelton then dedicated two and a half months to restoring the pole.
Yelton started with the thunderbird’s head at the top, cutting out a 15-by-15-inch square block of cedar and fitting it in the top of the head like a puzzle, he said. He then put epoxy and cedar mulch with resin to harden cures through the hole.
Sanding the pole down was the most work, he said. Yelton wore a respirator mask sanding down the pole due to thick house paint used on the pole in 1972, creating a toxic smell.
But taking on the challenge in restoring the pole was fun, he said, especially as it’s not his first rodeo in doing so.
Yelton has been a totem pole carver for 52 years. His work is seen in numerous places across the North Shore and Lower Mainland, but also across the world in the United States, Japan, China and even Australia.
Having the totem pole moved to the main office in North Vancouver serves an important element – an ongoing commitment towards reconciliation while honouring the history, said Wendy Keyzer, manager of strategy and business development at Seaspan.
“It’s going to serve as a reminder of all the wonderful people who’ve lived on these lands for generations, and the importance of our responsibilities that we need to uphold,” Keyzer said. “We’re going to be seeing that every day as we come to work.”
Blankets were laid on the ground during the ceremony for Yelton to stand on, where he and the totem pole he restored were brushed with cedar boughs.
Keyzer also supports the company’s Indigenous strategy. Coming from a Metis heritage, she feels very lucky to work in this area and help advance these activities.
It’s hard for Keyzer not to get emotional when talking about the ceremony and this vital work.
“I enjoy leaving my markers in all certain areas of territories that once belonged to the Squamish Nation people,” Yelton said. [The totem pole] looks really strong, stands in a good way down there, in honour of our Squamish Nation people and in honour of Tommy Moses.”
Abby Luciano is the Indigenous and civic affairs reporter for the North Shore News. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
