May 11, 2023
Over the past two years, inmates and staff at the Vancouver Island Regional Correctional Centre have followed the guidance of Indigenous elders, such as Tom LaFortune, and collectively carved a totem pole that represents an acknowledgement of the First Nations who preceded the existence of the Centre.
On May 11th 2023, representatives from SIIA had the opportunity to attend a ceremony to celebrate the raising of this pole.
The ceremony started by acknowledging and thanking the speakers and the witnesses. One of SIIA’s Community Engagement Leads, Chris Jim, was tasked with being a witness due to his kinship relation with the speaker. The process of witnessing illustrated deep respect for all participants and established a collective living memory of the legal processes embedded within the ceremony.
The ceremony was led by the Indigenous Cultural Liaison at VIRCC, Max Henry. The pole was dedicated to his late father, Max Henry Sr., who played an important part in selecting the cedar tree that was used to create the pole. The ceremony also involved singing, drumming, and speeches from inmates, staff, elders, leaders from various Coast Salish Nations, and the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Mike Farnworth.
As we heard from the speakers, the project had the effect of bringing everyone together, in accordance with the principles of nuts’a’maat (“working together with one heart and one mind” in Hul’qumi’num). As Tom LaFortune highlighted, when everyone was working on the pole, they were on a “first name basis,” no one was above anyone else, they were all on the same team. Some of the inmates expressed that the work has “changed their lives.” One former resident, Eddy Cliffe, who was involved with the project, became a carver upon his release.
Eddy spoke about how the project and the guidance of Tom has enabled him to be a “better friend, a better father, and a better human altogether.” He vowed that he would pass the teachings on to his children and make sure they remember who they are and where they come from.
According to recent government statistics, although Indigenous people represent only 6% of B.C.’s adult population, they make up 35% of individuals in custody. Many of the speakers emphasized the impacts of Residential “Schools” on Indigenous peoples in BC. They spoke about how childhood trauma linked to colonialism has led many Indigenous peoples down paths that end in incarceration and the only way to reverse these trends is through exposure to culture and opportunities for healing.
Each elder and knowledge-holder expressed the importance of culture and language in creating new paths forward. A representative of the Tsartlip First Nation stated that “we are all one… Even though we are a W̱SÁNEĆ nation, we know the Hul’qumi’num songs because we are all related.” Another elder highlighted the meaning of the four paddles on the totem pole: “one to represent each Indigenous group on the island – the Coast Salish, Nuu-Chah-Nulth, and Kwakwaka’wakw peoples – and one to represent the W̱ENITEM, our non-Indigenous relatives.”
It was an honour to witness this ceremony and it was important for SIIA to hear these teachings so that we can incorporate them into our legislation and service delivery model. Chris Jim has recently been focussing on leading targeted engagement activities for male relatives so that we can meaningfully capture the voices of fathers, sons, uncles, grandfathers, and brothers in our work. The event at VIRCC highlighted the importance of including male relatives in these conversations about children, youth and families, as we heard about the direct link between childhood trauma and incarceration; the desire of inmates to be positive roles models for their children; and the importance of incorporating culture and language into all aspects of family life.
The totem pole symbolizes:
Eagle: sharp vision and a sign of respect, honour, strength, courage and wisdom; the eagle is dedicated to Max Henry Sr. (member of BOKEĆEN – Pauquachin First Nation) who had a huge part in bringing this totem to life.
Owl: inner wisdom, change, transformation, intuitive development, good luck and self-actualization.
Four Paddles: the Nations in the four directions and the non-Indigenous peoples in moving forward, working collaboratively, and positively towards common goals.
Wolf: leadership, loyalty, strong family ties, good communication, education, understanding and intelligence.
Frog: potential, transformation, purity, prosperity, and self-reflection.
Beaver: new horizons and hope, particularly about your family and home. Those struggling with difficult situations can rely on the beaver to transform reality and teach the lesson of gratitude.
