B.C. premier apologizes for removal of 1950s totem pole at Canada-U.S. border
SURREY, B.C. — Three First Nations in British Columbia gathered Friday to raise a restored replica totem pole at a Canada-U.S. border crossing — a decade after it was removed by the province without notice.
The Semiahmoo, Kwakwaka’wakw and Haida nations say the pole symbolizing the grizzly bear was raised near the Peace Arch crossing in the 1950s but taken down without consultation in 2008 to make way for a new tourism centre.
Members of the three nations held a ceremony at Peace Arch Provincial Park and said the removal of the pole was undignified and ignored their traditions.
However, its position at the Canada-U.S. border now sends an important message to visitors about three First Nations standing together, they said.