Totems of Duncan

Totem poles are important to the indigenous cultures of the Pacific Northwest, British Columbia and Alaska. Often carved from Western Red Cedar trees, totem poles typically reflect local legends, notable events or people. Often they are used to reflect the success of a tribe or village. They are not objects of worship, as the original missionaries to the area assumed.  Totem poles are historically very expensive, and for an impressive pole a carver maybe paid in hundreds of blankets for his work (blankets being the ultimate currency of the time).

The town of Duncan in Vancouver Island has over 80 totem poles within its limits. Forty-one of these totems are on display via a walking tour of the town center. Of particular note, Duncan has the world's largest in diameter totem pole, carved by First Nations artist Simon Charlie. We did the walking tour and selected these poles as our favourites.

Widest Totem Pole in the World

Totem Pole Carved by Maori Artisian

Oddly enough, Duncan also is the proud owner of the world's largest hockey stick. The stick was made for the World Expo held in Vancouver, Canada in 1986. Clearly the people of Duncan have a fasination for long, tall objects.