Story Poles versus Totem Poles
Although totem is a universally recognized term all around the world; the word ‘totem’ has religious connotations. Around the world, totems are cultural objects or poles of worship and praise. First Nation people did not worship or pray to the poles.
Story poles, such as the ones located at the Garden, were carved to preserve knowledge, history and stories of the people. Story poles do carry a lot of spiritual values but they are not the same as religious values, therefore, calling them totem poles is inaccurate.
Storytelling
Traditional storytelling can range from two days up to two weeks to tell a full length story. They can take a long time because traditionally people would sing, dance, dress up in costumes to act out the story, and/or hold a potluck ceremony to honor the story.
The stories told at VanDusen are condensed to about a minute or two, as the lengthy stories would take guests through Garden opening hours!
There are two story poles in the Garden that were carved by Earl and Brian Muldoe, and Arthur Sterritt from the Gitxsan Nation. The 2 story poles are the Mosquito Story pole and Al of the Gispudwad. The carvers who carved these poles gave us permission to tell their stories from their Nation. It is protocol to ask permission before we repeat and share certain stories.
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+-The Mosquito Story
The Mosquito Story pole is an origin story of where the mosquitos came from.
This pole tells the origin story of mosquitos, which came from the ashes of the funeral pyre of Baboudina (top), chief of the blood-suck Mosquito People. Below him is the young woman (middle) who killed the Chief and save her husband (bottom) and baby.
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+-Al of the Gispudwad
Al of the Gispudwad is the origin story of the black bear crest.
A long time ago a man was transformed into a bear and lived among the bears for a while. When he returned to his people, a kind elderly healer helped him become human again. The black bears remained friends with the man and would help him if he was in trouble. To honor the black bear he had his descendants use the bear as their crest.
Visit the Story Poles at VanDusen Botanical Garden
To learn more about either of these stories we encourage you to reach out to Gitxsan Nation to seek permission to share this story and to hear the long version stories.
