Spirit Pole journey brings awareness to NAIG

"Exhilarating."
That's how She'ee'lum, the chief of the Lake Cowichan First Nation, described the experience of sliding the big slick across the surface of the western red cedar, watching as a paper-thin slice of history curled at the end of the carver's tool and floated to the floor.
"I just can't explain it," said the chief, known by the English name Cyril Livingstone. "When you have that tool in your hand and you blow the chips away, it blew me away; to have that moment with the carver, I just can't explain it. It was so exciting."
On May 1, Livingstone was the first of many thousands of people who will have their moment with carver Carey Newman (Coast Salish, Kwakiutl) as he travels across British Columbia with the Spirit Pole.
The 20-foot ancient cedar, chosen by the artist from among the many trees blown down in Stanley Park during the windstorm of November 2006, will be raised at the opening ceremony of the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) hosted in August by the Cowichan Tribes on Vancouver Island.
During the pole's 95-day journey, 10,000 pairs of hands will help shape the symbols that represent the theme of Newman's design. As a memento of their experience, each person will keep the sliver of fragrant cedar they shave away from the tree.
The Spirit Pole is an initiative of the games' organizing committee, meant to bring awareness to the event this summer, but also designed to celebrate the province's 150th anniversary.
To tell both stories in the wood, Newman said he had to find common ground.
"What I landed on is Victory of Spirit. For the games, this means perseverance. It means that victory is not only measured by wins. Like a salmon that swims against the current, sometimes it's the journey that really counts," he said.
"From a historical and cultural perspective, victory of spirit means emerging from the difficulties of our past and moving forward with pride. It means remembering who we are and where we come from while embracing the world as it is today."
At the base of the pole is the frog symbol, which represents the collective experience. The frog is taking a step forward into the future.
A salmon swimming upstream represents the future, but it also acknowledges the cycle of life, the "return to where we have come from, to pass on what we have learned."
The wolf figure represents the past. "It recalls our history and signifies the importance and strength of family," Newman said.
At the top of the pole, the eagle, strong and self-assured.
"Here he is seen looking toward the future; a future where he sees hope for our youth, for our environment and for our collective spirit."
Before the Spirit Pole journey ends, it will have traveled to 47 communities, as far south as Osoyoos and as far north as Fort Nelson. It made its western-most stop in Port Alberni on May 4 and will go as far east as Golden.
The pole will return to Vancouver Island from Prince Rupert to Port Hardy on B.C. Ferries. It will then follow Tribal Journeys down the inside passage, returning to Cowichan territory by canoe.
"We're going to set it into its own canoe and it's going to be towed in by other canoes, said Ron Rice, manager, cultural events and ceremonies for Cowichan 2008.
There will be as many as 100 ocean-going canoes from 65 points of origin who will arrive in Cowichan Bay on July 28 to welcome the pole home.
Newman will then go into seclusion and put the finishing touches on the pole before it is presented to Team BC, who will bring it to the games as a gift from British Columbia.
"I am very excited to kick this off today," said Rice at the launch ceremony at Cowichan Lake. "This has been a long time in the making. You know, we came up with this idea in January of 2007, and pitched the idea to BC150, who was looking for some province-wide events, and they were very supportive from the beginning, and have been as the project evolved and grew."
BC150 events are taking place all around the province this year, said Charles Parkinson, CEO of the BC150 program, "and the whole program has been built on five pillars-heritage, communities, arts and culture, cultural diversity and Aboriginal people.
Today's event embraces all five of those pillars.
"Although we are celebrating 150 years of shared history and cultural diversity, British Columbia's Aboriginal communities have made contributions to the fabric of this great province for thousands of years," he said.

Athletes, performers, parents and spectators in the thousands will "come and see the NAIG happening right here in this valley," said Parkinson, adding that the Cowichan territory is known as the warm land.
Indeed, the pole, in part, represents the story of Quw'utsun, said Newman in describing his design.
"When the people first saw the place that would become their home, the mountains appeared to be frogs warming their backs in the sun. The Hul'q'uminum word for this is scowutsun, known today as Cowichan. Quw'utsun is a place to warm your back in the sun."
The NAIG is an international event that will showcase some of the best Aboriginal athletes from across Canada and the United States. The Games run from Aug. 3 to Aug. 10.
"But it's so much more than sports," said Cal Swustus, board chair of Cowichan 2008.
"It's a celebration of our rich cultural diversity and the remarkable achievements of our youth. This pole, and the figures being carved into it, represents the journey, the journey of our communities, and our province, our nations, as we prepare to deliver the best games ever."
Carey is the fifth generation of carvers and is traveling with his father Victor Newman, who Carey said taught him everything he knows about the art form.
Victor, however, is humble about his influence over his son. Victor first put a carving tool into Carey's hands when the boy was only five, and the talent blossomed from there.
"It's amazing what he does. He's into everything, you know. Masks, jewelry, and he's also an opera singer too," Victor said, proud of his son's accomplishments.
Victor and his wife Edith, and Carey's wife Lorraine, will help the artist with the crowds of people that will take part in the carving over the next three months.
"This is an exciting time for us," Carey said. She'ee'lum agreed. "The excitement of where this pole will travel. It's a feeling that is going to be in your heart forever, it will be in your mind forever and it's going to be remembered for a long time. That's my feeling."
For more information about the Spirit Pole, visit www.cowichan2008.com.