Mobile Menu

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • West Coast Galleries
      • Nature Photography
      • Wildlife Photography
      • Cityscapes
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Accessible Travel
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • Newsletter Sign-up
  • Contests
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • West Coast Traveller Directory
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Terms of Service
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
  • Search
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • TikTok Icon
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Flickr Icon
  • Menu
  • Skip to left header navigation
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • TikTok Icon
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Flickr Icon

West Coast Traveller

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • West Coast Galleries
      • Nature Photography
      • Wildlife Photography
      • Cityscapes
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Accessible Travel
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • Newsletter Sign-up
  • Contests
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • West Coast Traveller Directory
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Terms of Service
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
  • Search
You are here: Home / news / Refurbished totem joins those of the masters at Victoria’s Thunderbird Park

Richard Hunt supervised the installation of his restored 1979 totem pole at Thunderbird Park on Monday (Dec. 20). (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

Refurbished totem joins those of the masters at Victoria’s Thunderbird Park

December 21, 2021 //  by Kiernan Green

Share this:

Following months of restoration work, the first totem of now-famous carver Richard Hunt has been raised in a new position beside Wawaditla (Mungo Martin House) on the grounds of the Royal BC Museum.

The 3,500-pound Thunderbird Pole, formerly located in the museum’s small courtyard and before that, at its entrance, was moved from the restoration studio to its new central position at Thunderbird Park by crane.

The two-hour endeavour was witnessed by about a dozen members of the public on a frigid, clear morning Dec. 20.

The pole, originally carved in 1979, was Hunt’s first pole he completed independent of his father’s help, although much guidance came from his uncle, master carver Tommy Hunt.

“He’d show up for work before I did. Before I could unlock the door, he would tell me what to do for that day,” Richard recalled of the three-month process of working with his uncle.

READ MORE: How storytelling in tourism can support truth and reconciliation

HD Trucking Ltd. staffers prepare to lift Richard Hunt’s 3,500-pound totem by crane after it was moved out of the Royal BC Museum’s restoration room. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

The thunderbird at the top of the pole depicts the head of the Hunt family, Richard’s younger brother, Tony. The next figure down features a man with the sun’s face, holding a copper plate with a bear design, signifying wealth, Hunt explained.

Another figure gives a nod to an incident from Hunt’s childhood days.

“Kids were daring each other to see how close they could get (to each other’s finger) with an axe,” he said. But his best friend, George “Slash” Taylor, danced too close to the knife’s edge. “One guy got too close to him and chopped his finger off,” Hunt said with a regretful laugh.

Years later, Hunt decided to immortalize his old friend and eventual best man by cleaving the left index finger from the pole’s lowest figure; a man being held by a bear.

Workers with HD Trucking Ltd. prepare the placement of Richard Hunt’s restored 1979 totem in its new location in Thunderbird Park, neighbouring those carved by his father, Henry Hunt, and legendary carver Mungo Martin. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

The cedar pole – made from the wood Hunt said makes the cradle and the grave – now stands in Thunderbird Park facing the intersection of Belleville and Douglas streets.

“I always thought it should be here,” he said, adding he’s honoured to stand the pole beside those carved by his father, Henry Hunt, and legendary carver Mungo Martin.

For its role in the revival of Indigenous culture on Vancouver Island, “Thunderbird Park should actually be a national heritage site,” Hunt said.

In 1953, Martin had hosted the first legal traditional potluck since its ban by the Canadian government in 1889.

“This is where our culture was reborn,” Hunt said.

A crane lifts Richard Hunt’s restored 1979 totem to its new location in Thunderbord Park, facing Belleville and Douglas streets. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

Following the painstaking restoration of the thunderbird pole, Hunt has been resting sore fingers. He’s working on smaller artworks for museums from Winnipeg to Santa Barbara, Calif., but at his age, he said, he had no coming plans to venture 36 feet high for pole carving.

Similar to how he got his start, he’d like to begin helping his own nephew with the craft.

“The government tried to stop us,” Hunt said. “But we’re still here. We’re still carrying on our tradition.”

Workers make final adjustments to the placement of Richard Hunt’s restored pole in its new location in Thunderbird Park, neighbouring those carved by his father, Henry Hunt, and the renowned Mungo Martin. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

Read more about Thunderbird Park on the Royal BC Museum website here.

READ MORE: BC Ferries unveils Indigenous design for next Salish Class vessel

***

Plan your adventures throughout the West Coast at westcoasttraveller.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @thewestcoasttraveller. And for the top West Coast Travel stories of the week delivered right to your inbox, sign up for our weekly Armchair Traveller newsletter!

Share this:

Category: news, TravelTag: British Columbia Destinations, Canada, Indigenous Tourism, Royal BC Museum, Things to Do in Vancouver Island, Victoria

Related Posts

You may be interested in these posts from the same category.

Protecting paradise: Waterway cleanups support Victoria’s wildlife, beaches and the Salish Sea

The Gorge Waterway is one of Victoria’s most scenic and beloved places – a tidal…

Protecting paradise: Waterway cleanups support Victoria’s wildlife, beaches and the Salish SeaRead More

Pro LEGO builder brings new space exhibit to life at Vancouver’s Science World

A brand new exhibit at Science World gives people the chance to dive into the…

Pro LEGO builder brings new space exhibit to life at Vancouver’s Science WorldRead More

Port Alberni’s McLean Mill ready to welcome locals and tourists this summer

McLean Mill National Historic Site in Port Alberni is expecting a lot of visitors this…

Port Alberni’s McLean Mill ready to welcome locals and tourists this summerRead More

Celebrate Canada, Celebrate You: Brand new contest features $17,000+ in prizes!

As dream destination, it doesn’t get much better than Western Canada – from wilderness escapes…

Celebrate Canada, Celebrate You: Brand new contest features $17,000+ in prizes!Read More

Mount Revelstoke parkway opens to the summit for vehicles

Revelstoke’s scenic 26-kilometre parkway has opened all the way to the top for motor vehicles,…

Mount Revelstoke parkway opens to the summit for vehiclesRead More

Comox Trolley Tour debuts hop-on, hop-off tour of town’s sights

The Great Canadian Trolley Company has officially arrived in Comox, launching its highly anticipated Hop…

Comox Trolley Tour debuts hop-on, hop-off tour of town’s sightsRead More

A Circus by the Sea takes shape in sand as Parksville Beach Fest returns!

Vancouver Island’s favourite beach festival returns in just a few short weeks, with more than…

A Circus by the Sea takes shape in sand as Parksville Beach Fest returns!Read More

Need an escape? New tech can help you unplug without going totally off-grid

Need an escape? New tech can help you unplug without going totally off the grid.…

Need an escape? New tech can help you unplug without going totally off-gridRead More

North Vancouver Island’s Ha’me’ Restaurant shares bounty of Indigenous cuisine

Ha’me’, the fine dining restaurant at the Kwa’lilas Hotel in Port Hardy, wholly owned by…

North Vancouver Island’s Ha’me’ Restaurant shares bounty of Indigenous cuisineRead More

Previous Post: « Gary the Cat pays visit to Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
Next Post: USA Today poll ranks Rossland as top ski town in Canada »

Primary Sidebar

Things To Do

Protecting paradise: Waterway cleanups support Victoria’s wildlife, beaches and the Salish Sea

July 4, 2025

Pro LEGO builder brings new space exhibit to life at Vancouver’s Science World

July 3, 2025

Port Alberni’s McLean Mill ready to welcome locals and tourists this summer

July 2, 2025

Celebrate Canada, Celebrate You: Brand new contest features $17,000+ in prizes!

July 2, 2025

Recent Posts

Protecting paradise: Waterway cleanups support Victoria’s wildlife, beaches and the Salish Sea

July 4, 2025

Pro LEGO builder brings new space exhibit to life at Vancouver’s Science World

July 3, 2025

Port Alberni’s McLean Mill ready to welcome locals and tourists this summer

July 2, 2025

Celebrate Canada, Celebrate You: Brand new contest features $17,000+ in prizes!

July 2, 2025

Footer

The West Coast Traveller has an immense social media footprint, with eight social media sites and and 125,000+ social followers.

Join us on social media and Join Our Community by sharing your stuff!

Get Inspired

News Media Groups

Black Press Media
Sound Publishing
Oahu Media Group
Alaska
Boulevard Magazines
Used.ca

Let’s Get Social

West Coast Traveller
I Love British Columbia
I Love Alberta
I Love Yukon
I Love Northwest Territories
I Love Washington
I Love California
I Love Oregon
I Love Alaska

Visit Our Companion Sites

I Love Saskatchewan
I Love Manitoba
I Love Nunavut
I Love Ontario
I Love Quebec
I Love Newfoundland and Labrador
I Love Nova Scotia
I Love New Brunswick
I Love Prince Edward Island

Site Footer

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • TikTok Icon
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2025 West Coast Traveller and · All Rights Reserved