A welcome pole embodying the rich wildlife in the Hammond Bay area is showcased in a new welcome pole produced by SFN carver Noel Brown. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

SFN history

Welcome pole unveiled at former Snuneymuxw village site

Sep 30, 2023 | 4:33 PM

NANAIMO — A well known local Indigenous carver is sharing the story of the strong ties between Snuneymuxw First Nation and Nanaimo’s Hammond Bay area.

Xwtaluwnuc, an ancient SFN village site, is home to a new landmark conveying Snuneymuxw’s way of life to students at Ecole Hammond Bay Elementary School and its visitors.

During a Saturday, Sept. 30 ceremony with a sea of orange shirts of roughly 150 people in attendance, a welcome pole by noted SFN carver Noel Brown was revealed on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

The 14-foot high red cedar pole features a salmon, eagle and bear — all of which deeply engrained in SFN’s way of life in the area, according to Brown.

Brown said SFN elders commonly refer to the significance of eagles flying above the shoreline as a sign of abundance.

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“It tells to get ready that the salmon are coming and when bears are around the mouth of the the river and here we also know to get ready…the salmon never fail to feed our people,” Brown told NanaimoNewsNOW.

The pole, mounted adjacent to the school’s main entrance, is the finishing touch on a substantial years-long expansion of the French Immersion school.

Brown worked with his son, Richie, for the past year to make the vision of SFN elders come to reality.

A unique feature on the back of the pole represents salmon eggs encased in yellow cedar, which Richie carved.

Richie Brown was tasked with using yellow cedar to carve Indigenous-themed salmon eggs into the back of the pole in front of Ecole Hammond Bay Elementary School (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Noel Brown, whose been a professional artist for nearly 30 years, has dozens of carvings and other Indigenous art pieces placed throughout Nanaimo.

High profile projects of his include a welcome pole installed this summer outside Nanaimo Fire Rescue Station # 1, and 50 foot-high pole towering over Maffeo Sutton Park.

He’s also well versed in creating Indigenous-themed metal work, mask-carving and jewelry.

“I’m lucky and fortunate to be able to do a lot of the work around town,” Brown said, who emphasized it’s a great feeling sharing the SFN story in many prominent areas of Nanaimo.

SFN chief Mike Wyse told the crowd that the pole at Xwtaluwnuc represents a valued partnership involving many people and groups, including Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools.

While Sept. 30 is a somber day in recognition of the pain caused at the country’s residential schools, Wyse said the pole is meant to provide protection and comfort to Hammond Bay students and staff.

“While what was lost can never be truly reconciled, we can find a path forward through our shared responsibility to each other, our children, the land…”

School District 68 board chair Greg Keller said Saturday’s event was a significant step toward understanding and healing.

“The welcome pole we unveil today is not just a magnificent work of art hand-crafted by Snuneyumuw artist Noel Brown, it’s a symbol of our commitment to truth, reconciliation and inclusion,” Keller said.

At 14-feet high, students, staff and visitors to Ecole Hammond Bay Elementary School are now greeted to a new addition to the recently expanded facility. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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Ian.holmes@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes