“Return of the Orca” Welcome pole

North Vancouver BC

Vancouver, Coast & Mountains

TsuKwalton (Jonas Jones) · Whey-ah-Wichen (Cates Park) · North Vancouver, BC

səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) · Medium: Carving · Installed: 2023

A Great Chief asked the salmon to leave the river — to teach two boys a lesson about respect. Then he asked them to come back.

The Work

wacəq II (1770–1840) was a Great Chief of səl̓ilwət (Burrard Inlet), with his primary residence at təmtəmíxʷtən (Belcarra). Like his father before him, he had a close and deeply spiritual relationship with the natural world — with the waters, the fish, and the creatures of the inlet.

One day, he came upon two young boys throwing rocks at spawning sce:ɬtən (salmon) in ʔənlil̕wət (Indian River). The river was full — so full in spawning season that one could practically walk across it. To teach the boys the lesson they needed to learn, wacəq II asked the salmon to leave the river. They listened. The river emptied.

Distressed, the people came to him. He understood. He asked the sce:ɬtən to return. They did.

wacəq II was also a proficient hunter and a specially trained warrior who defended səlilwətaɬ territory with the same understanding that guided his interactions with the natural world — that all living things are connected, that respect flows in every direction, and that the consequences of disrespect fall on the whole community.

This pole, carved by TsuKwalton (Jonas Jones) and installed at Whey-ah-Wichen in 2023, carries the story of wacəq II in cedar. It stands on the shore of the inlet he protected — in the territory he understood more deeply than any map.

Know Before You Go

Located within Cates Park (Whey-ah-Wichen) on the North Shore. Accessible year-round, free of charge. Walk around the full circumference of the pole — the carving rewards close attention.

Best time to visit: Morning hours at the waterfront when the inlet is quiet and the mountains across the water are at their clearest.

Getting There

By Transit — SeaBus from Waterfront Station downtown to Lonsdale Quay — 12 minutes across the Burrard Inlet. From Lonsdale Quay, connect east by bus toward Deep Cove, Maplewood, or Phibbs Exchange depending on your stop. Allow 35–60 minutes from downtown.

By Vehicle — Cross the Second Narrows Bridge (Highway 1) or Lions Gate Bridge and follow signs toward the North Shore. Most Trail sites on the North Shore are 20–40 minutes from downtown Vancouver by vehicle.

By Bike — The North Shore Spirit Trail cycling path connects Lonsdale Quay to the Maplewood and Deep Cove corridor.

From the VCC: SeaBus from Waterfront Station — 12 minutes to Lonsdale Quay. The crossing travels through the traditional waters of the səlilwətaɬ people.

From YVR: Canada Line to Waterfront Station, then SeaBus. Approximately 40 minutes to Lonsdale Quay.