the origins of our totem pole Collection
We are delighted to share with you a background of how the totem poles came to be here at the farm, as well as sharing some facts and history that we have learned during our process of restoring these structures while honouring Aboriginal culture here in Canada. If you have visited The Saskatoon Farm, we are sure you have seen our Totem Poles proudly standing tall as you walk our grounds. Paul and Karen Hamer, the owners of The Saskatoon Farm, have always had great respect and appreciation for indigenous culture across Canada. All of the Totem Poles you see here at the Farm, though carved for the purpose of tourism, they represent a traditional craft of many tribes across Northern America. They are a reflection and celebration of the rich and diverse culture that surrounds us all.
Capilano Native Band
Carved in 1950 by Chief Joe Mathieu’s of the west coast.
It was commissioned by Dr. Bell, owner of the Bell hotel in Claresholm, Alberta. Sitting as a iconic attraction in front of the hotel for 65 years, it became unstable and was taken down, and near forgotten. In 2013 Paul Hamer noticed it missing in front of the hotel and tracked it down. Where upon he acquired it, brought it to the farm for extensive restoration. Approximately a year later, it was ready to be erected again. It now sits proudly here at the Saskatoon farm.
At the top you’ll see a Thunderbird, a supernatural being representing power and strength. Next is the Bear Mother, a common west coast legend. Then the killer whale with a human riding on it, representing harmony and protection. It is said to have protected those who travel away from home, and lead them back when it is time. Lastly, the Bear, symbolizing courage, family, and strength.
Sometimes the symbols on a Totem Pole are arranged so that higher symbols have more importance and lower symbols have less significance. This arrangement is where we get the saying “low man on the totem pole”, which means that the person is at the bottom of the hierarchy and everyone above him is more important.
the mother pole
Carved in 1968. By a unknown carver. It was found on the west coast and brought to the Saskatoon Farm for restoration in 2016. It is thought to be of Tlingit Native Band origin.
The figures and symbols on the pole may symbolize or commemorate ancestors, cultural beliefs, legends, clan lineages, or notable events.
AT the top of this pole you’ll see a common Thunderbird The Thunderbird is a mythical creature that is said to be the dominating force of all natural activity. Heavily relied on for protection. Below him is the Bear mother a common mythical story in which A young princess was picking berries loudly in a field where the bears thought she was mocking them, with the bears watching her, she became flustered, falling and spilling her berries. Coming to her aid, the bears offered to help her, taking her to there camp, where she stayed and married a Chiefs son, becoming pregnant with twin half man half bear cubs. The sons grew to give great fortune and celebrated for there hunting. Thus the mother bear symbol is heavily used to show the unity between man and bear. At the bottom of the pole, there is a unique human, pregnant with child. A symbol not commonly found.
A totem pole or monumental pole is a tall structure created by Northwest Coast Indigenous peoples that showcases a nation's, family's or individual's history and displays their rights to certain territories, songs, dances and other aspects of their culture. The word totem comes from the Algonquian word odoodem meaning “his kinship group” (which means a family or a clan.)
Haida totem pole
Carved in 1960 by William Jeffrey, a prominent Haida carver of the village port Simpson.
He produced a number of polls in the early 1960s. One of them was purchased by a family in Somerside in PEI, then erected in there tourist facility. After closing the business in 2001, the pole was purchased by the Canadian Pickers television program and sold to Paul Hamer at the Saskatoon Farm, where he began extensive restoration. It was then put up on one of the episodes of the series.
The figures and symbols on the pole may symbolize ancestors, cultural beliefs, legends, clan lineages, and notable events.
Starting at the top, the Three Watchmen, they are said to call out when danger approaches. Followed by a Thunderbird figure. Between the birds wings, is the killer whale carrying the human, symbolizes family, romance, longevity, harmony, travel, community and protection. Finally, the Bear mother figure, a common legend often depicted on poles.
The thunderbird pole
Carved in the mid-1960s by a unknown carver. Based on its designs, it is thought to be Tlingit Tribe. Originally found in northern British Columbia was brought to the farm in 2017 and restored.
The thunderbird was in pour condition with broken wings when we received it in 2017. After the restoration, it was erected in the summer of 2019. This totem pole has very traditional carvings that you’ll see quite commonly. The thunderbird clutches a salmon, which represents a symbol of abundance and prosperity. Below you’ll see the orca carrying the man, symbolizing security and unity. At the bottom, The bear is a thoughtful creature, independent and apparently distant, has little need for fellowship and is self-contained and strong-willed
The TSIMISHIAN pole
Our tallest totem pole that we have here on the farm checking in at 82 feet, was carved with the tsimshian tribe affiliation.
Tsimshian (tsim-she-yan, meaning “Inside the Skeena River”) is a name that is often broadly applied to Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast.
The Tsimshian were known for their highly conventionalized applied art. The totem poles were erected, primarily as memorials to deceased chiefs. The major Tsimshain potlatches or ceremonial distributions of gifts, had as their purpose the announcement and validation of the position of the new chief.
This particular totem pole however was carved 1967 for the tourist trade and not for traditional ceremonial purpose. It was carved for Canada’s 100-year centennial in British Columbia. It was found by Paul in 2019, abandoned and soon to be fire wood at a golf course. Once acquiring this totem pole, it was brought back to the farm for extensive repair and restored. Once put back together, it was erected by a crane and sits proudly at the entrance of our farm as is seen miles away.