Crowds were cheering in Witset today (Thursday) as a totem pole was raised outside the new daycare and family services facility.
The pole was funded by:
- First Nations Health Authority
- Wetzin’kwa Community Forests Corporation
- Smithers District Chamber of Commerce
- Kyah Wiget Education Society
- And Indigenous Early Learning & Child Care
Five carvings accompanied the pole for its journey and were later placed around it to symbolize the five Wet’suwet’en clans.
The pole depicts a mother at the top, with a depiction of the Bulkley River (Wet’sinkwha) leading to the bottom where an elder looks over two children.
“All the small clan crests are for the children,” said carver James Madam.
Chief Kloum Khun (Alphonse Gagnon) added the pole is meant to symbolize healing, so trauma is no longer passed down generations.
Work on creating the pole started in 2021 with a tree from the Bulkley Valley.
The march started at the Witset Centennial Hall and crossed the highway with several people carrying the totem pole.
It was then erected by hand in the rain with a feast following the event.
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