VANCOUVER — After 40 years, one of the most recognizable totem poles at Stanley Park’s Brockton Point will be relocated.
In early September the Kakaso’las totem pole carved by Kwakwaka’wakw artist Ellen Neel will be returned to the Museum of Anthropology (MOA) at the University of British Columbia, following the conclusion of a loan agreement between the MOA and the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation dating back to 1985.
The relocation of the pole back to the museum is happening in co-ordination with the MOA and Ellen Neel’s family, due to the age and condition of the pole, stated a release. Based on an assessment of the pole, the Neel family decided it should return to the MOA where it can be preserved into the future.
The Neel family, including Ellen Neel’s granddaughter, Lou-ann Neel, advocated for the return. The relocation from Brockton Point to MOA is scheduled for Sept. 4.
The Kakaso’las totem pole was carved by Ellen Neel in 1955. It stands six metres tall and features prominent figures including the thunderbird with a whale on its chest, followed by a sea-bear holding a killer whale, a man holding a frog, Bak’was (the Wild Man of the Woods), Dzunuk’wa (Giant of the Woods) and a raven at the base.
It was one of five poles commissioned by Woodward’s Department Store and initially installed at its Westmount Mall location in Edmonton.
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