'We want to move forward as one': Reconciliation totem pole unveiled in Victoria

A new totem pole designed to further reconciliation and to honour the carvers' own mother has been unveiled next to the provincial health ministry building in Victoria.

First Nations leaders and politicians were on hand for the dedication of the Crossing Cultures and Healing totem pole onBlanshard Street on Tuesday.

Cheers went up as the sheet came down from the 7.5-metre pole, carved from a 300-year-old red cedar.

SteveSxwithultxw, a senior advisor for cultural safety with the ministry, helped oversee the project and said the totem represents a new health-care relationship between government and First Nations.

"It is important that health outcomes for our people are recognized and are dealt with to know that our people are important," he said.

Artists Tom and Perry Lafortune,brothersfrom the TsawoutFirst Nation, carved the pole on the Royal B.C. Museum's outdoor plaza throughout the summer.

Watch a timelapseshowing part of the carving process below:

Brothers carve 300-year-old cedar into totem pole

6 years ago

Duration 0:48

Artists Tom and Perry Lafortune, brothers from the Tsawout First Nation, carved their totem pole on the Royal B.C. Museum's outdoor plaza throughout the summer of 2018.

Perry has been carving for 42 years, but said this was the mostpublic project he has undertaken.

The bottom figure on the pole depictsthe brothers' mother, who died 10 years ago.

"This is really, really special because it's near and dear to my heart," Perry said in August.

The brothers say the carving displays, from the top down:

• Raven: messenger of good news.
• Owl: ability to see in both worlds, the past, present and future.
• Frog: conscience of the community.
• Woman: grandmother who teaches respect, humility, and resilience.
• Rope: connects the figures together for strength and continuity.

Politicianstook turns at the podium on Tuesday, including B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix, who said the government recognizes the importance of culture in healthcare.

Sxwithultxwsaid he hopesofficials follow through.

"Walk your talk. Show that we want to move forward as one, that we want to work together and collaborate in partnership," he said.

Listen to the full interview with carver Perry Lafortune from August 2018:

With files from Michael Tymchuk, Michael McArthur and the Canadian Press