Welcome to the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region—a diverse landscape of saltwater, ancient cedar forests, and soaring alpine peaks that have been nurtured by Indigenous hands since time immemorial.

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About

A self-guided journey through cultural connection

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Land Acknowledgment

This Truth and Reconciliation pole which we may now call a totem pole, is a 44-foot tall red cedar from upper Squamish, estimated to be 350-years-old, or more. The pole was carved together with my son, James Harry. I carved the top half and my son carved the bottom, we met together in the middle, which we worked on together.&nbsp;The symbols on the Reconciliation Pole from top to bottom are displayed as follows:<ul><li>Thunderbird &amp; Mother Earth: represents the Creator (the Great Spirit) protecting Mother Earth</li><li>Coast Salish eye: represents the Creator watching over us</li><li>Frog: represents the communicator passing down traditions to future generations</li><li>Cedar woven blanket: represents interweaving all cultures together</li><li>Buffalo head: represents all First Nations people</li><li>Eagle: represents vision, wisdom and power.</li><li>Bear &amp; Ancestor: represents strength and remembering our history</li></ul>

nə́c̓aʔmat ct - We Are One

The meaning behind the Reconciliation Pole is to unite everyone - nə́c̓aʔmat ct - 'we are one’ as we walk forth continuing to learn and understand what reconciliation means in education. A Reconciliation Pole, similar to a totem pole, tells a story about a person and what they did for their tribe, as you read it from top to bottom.

Reconciliation Pole