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New totem pole to take shape in Duncan

Cowichan Valley residents and visitors will be given a unique opportunity to try their hand at carving a totem pole

Cowichan Valley residents and visitors will be given a unique opportunity to try their hand at carving a totem pole in celebration of Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation.

Funded by the federal government through the Canada 150 Fund, the totem pole will take shape throughout the year in a central and highly visible location in downtown Duncan, where the public will be able to watch the carver at work and view the totem progress.

Schools and community groups will be invited to participate in the carving process, and the totem will travel to community events to engage even more of Cowichan’s communities and residents in the project.

“We look forward to raising the totem at a public ceremony once it is complete,” said Duncan Mayor Phil Kent.

“The Cowichan Valley’s cultural identity is inextricably linked to Coast Salish First Nations heritage, and this new totem will be a lasting reminder not only of the milestone event, but also of Cowichan’s important place within Canada during the nation’s first 150 years.”