May 20 may very well be the highlight of the year at the Museum at Campbell River.
The new Kwakiutl Bear Pole will be standing on Museum grounds and a special dedication and blessing ceremony will be held.
“The pole project is without a doubt my personal favourite project. It has been a pleasure to witness this project unfold from the blessing of the log to spending time with Bill and Jr. Henderson as the carving progressed. The original Kwakiutl Bear pole was carved by Bill’s father, master carver Sam Henderson and originally erect in 1967 as part of B.C.’s Centenary Celebrations.
Although he passed several years ago, Sam’s presence could be keenly felt in the carving shed on the spit as the pole took shape,” says Sandra Parrish, the Museum at Campbell River’s Executive Director.
Funding for the commission of this pole was provided by a B.C. Arts Council Innovations Grant and Campbell River Rotary. A Living History documentary film is in the process of being created that will document the entire process of how a totem pole comes to be. The public is invited to attend and to witness the blessing and dedication of the new pole starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 20.
The Museum asks that people arrive early and allow time to find parking because they are expecting a large number of guests.
The Museum is located at 470 Island Highway. For more information call 250-287-3103 or go to www.crmuseum.ca
