Totem Poles

Totem Poles

Popular site with a collection of nine totem poles sourced from remote areas in British Columbia. The Totem Poles in Vancouver, particularly those in Stanley Park, are a significant cultural and historical attraction, representing the rich Indigenous heritage of the Pacific Northwest. These totem poles are some of the largest and most impressive collections of Indigenous art in the world, each telling a unique story. The carvings on these poles depict various animals, ancestral figures, and mythological beings, which hold deep spiritual and cultural meanings for the Indigenous peoples of the region, including the Coast Salish, Haida, and Kwakwaka’wakw tribes.

Located near Brockton Point in Stanley Park, the collection includes over 15 totem poles, each one carefully crafted by Indigenous artists. These totem poles are more than just artworks; they serve as a means of preserving and transmitting cultural knowledge, traditions, and history. Many of the poles were originally carved in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with some being restored or replaced over time to ensure the continuity of the tradition and to honor the significance of these cultural artifacts.