Sister city Seattle gifts totem pole to Chch

A totem pole from Christchurch’s sister city Seattle was officially unveiled by Mayor Garry Moore last month.

Seattle carver Jay Haavik carved most of the totem in Seattle. The semi-completed work was then air freighted to Christchurch free-of charge by Air New Zealand.

Mr Haavik says the totem has been designed as a welcome pole to the city of Christchurch and carved in the Haida style of the native peoples of Queen Charlotte Islands, off the coast of British Columbia, Canada. The wood used is western red cedar from the Seattle area of the Pacific northwest coast.

“Totem poles are without a doubt the most visible and striking symbol of the native peoples of the Pacific northwest coast of North America.

“They often tell family stories, remember a dead elder, or welcome guests. Totem poles have amazed visitors to the northwest coast for generations,” says Mr Haavik.

On top of the pole that has been gifted to Christchurch by the artist, is a human face with its hands in a welcome gesture between the ears of the next figure, an eagle. The eagle is a symbol of greeting and hospitality. The eagle’s claws are clutching the head of a bear, which has its tongue outstretched. In the claws of the bear is a salmon, a symbol of the marine and fishing connections between Christchurch and Seattle.

• For more information about Christchurch’s sister cities see www.christchurch.org.nz/sistercities/