> Blessing of totems starts restoration process
Blessing of totems starts restoration process
Contact:
Barbara Winter, 778.782.3325, barbara_winter@sfu.ca
Marianne Meadahl/Julie Ovenell-Carter, PAMR, 778.782.4323
Note: Members of the media are welcome to attend the blessing ceremony - parking is in the South Sciences lot - take a right on the ring road before the information booth. Meet just prior to 12:30 p.m. for the five-minute walk to the site. The area is muddy in spots. Three of the poles are in close proximity; two others are nearby. The actual removal work may not begin until later in the day.
Barbara Winter, 778.782.3325, barbara_winter@sfu.ca
Marianne Meadahl/Julie Ovenell-Carter, PAMR, 778.782.4323
Note: Members of the media are welcome to attend the blessing ceremony - parking is in the South Sciences lot - take a right on the ring road before the information booth. Meet just prior to 12:30 p.m. for the five-minute walk to the site. The area is muddy in spots. Three of the poles are in close proximity; two others are nearby. The actual removal work may not begin until later in the day.
October 24, 2007
Five totem poles that were erected over three decades ago in SFU's Naheeno Park will be removed, restored and relocated on campus.
The poles, carved by late Tsimshian artist Ray Wesley, were once a landmark in the park, a popular location in the university's early years.
Over time, trees and brush filled in the area and limited access to the poles, leaving them to become weathered, worn and forgotten.
On Thursday, Oct. 25 at 12:30 p.m., a blessing ceremony at the site of the poles, led by Squamish Nation hereditary chief Ian Campbell, will set the stage for their removal from the park.
"Situating these poles within the vibrant First Nations ceremonial tradition is important. The work Chief Campbell will be performing is an essential part of the treatment plan," says Barbara Winter, curator of SFU's Museum of Ethnology and Archaeology.
"By moving the poles from the park to a more central location we are highlighting the historical relationship SFU has with First Nations communities, a relationship that stretches back to the beginning of SFU when these poles were commissioned by the first members of the Alumni Association."
Winter says the poles have lasting cultural value. ”We want to bring these works of art out where they can be enjoyed by the university community," she adds.
The removal will be overseen by Jackie Timothy, a local carver based at SFU. In 2006, Timothy carved a pole on campus that was later sent to the Mohawk Nation titled West meets East. He is being assisted by Bill Nelson of SFU's facilities management, who has widened the path leading out from the totem site to facilitate the move.
Crews will first need to cut the metal posts implanted in the ground behind the poles. Once the posts are cut and the poles are removed the process of loading and moving them out of the forest will begin.
"With the break in weather, we will work quickly to make this happen," says Timothy, noting the work will require great care.
The poles will be stored on campus where they will be sheltered and dried in a controlled manner - a process Timothy and Winter estimate could take up to four months.
Further conservation of the poles will be done in a minimalist manner. "Poles are meant to naturally return to the earth,” says Winter. “We do not want to interrupt this process with harsh chemical treatments, but will rather slow the process down, allowing the poles to be enjoyed for a longer period of time.”
Photos of the poles are available; call 778.782.3210
The poles, carved by late Tsimshian artist Ray Wesley, were once a landmark in the park, a popular location in the university's early years.
Over time, trees and brush filled in the area and limited access to the poles, leaving them to become weathered, worn and forgotten.
On Thursday, Oct. 25 at 12:30 p.m., a blessing ceremony at the site of the poles, led by Squamish Nation hereditary chief Ian Campbell, will set the stage for their removal from the park.
"Situating these poles within the vibrant First Nations ceremonial tradition is important. The work Chief Campbell will be performing is an essential part of the treatment plan," says Barbara Winter, curator of SFU's Museum of Ethnology and Archaeology.
"By moving the poles from the park to a more central location we are highlighting the historical relationship SFU has with First Nations communities, a relationship that stretches back to the beginning of SFU when these poles were commissioned by the first members of the Alumni Association."
Winter says the poles have lasting cultural value. ”We want to bring these works of art out where they can be enjoyed by the university community," she adds.
The removal will be overseen by Jackie Timothy, a local carver based at SFU. In 2006, Timothy carved a pole on campus that was later sent to the Mohawk Nation titled West meets East. He is being assisted by Bill Nelson of SFU's facilities management, who has widened the path leading out from the totem site to facilitate the move.
Crews will first need to cut the metal posts implanted in the ground behind the poles. Once the posts are cut and the poles are removed the process of loading and moving them out of the forest will begin.
"With the break in weather, we will work quickly to make this happen," says Timothy, noting the work will require great care.
The poles will be stored on campus where they will be sheltered and dried in a controlled manner - a process Timothy and Winter estimate could take up to four months.
Further conservation of the poles will be done in a minimalist manner. "Poles are meant to naturally return to the earth,” says Winter. “We do not want to interrupt this process with harsh chemical treatments, but will rather slow the process down, allowing the poles to be enjoyed for a longer period of time.”
Photos of the poles are available; call 778.782.3210