Thursday, July 19, 2018

July 19 – Totems of Bella Coola

Today the forecast called for rain and thunderstorms in the afternoon so we went into town to check out the various First Nations carvings and totems. It turns out we only got a few sprinkles but we could see it raining up in the mountains around the RV park.

First I wandered just across the highway from the RV park for these shots.

Back at the tiny RVs beneath the mountain.

IMG_1053285

Then mountain across the highway.

IMG_1053279

The top of the mountain has had some gravel avalanches.

IMG_1053289

Then a long ribbon waterfall.

IMG_1053281

Just down the highway is 114 year old Augsburg United Church, that is still in use.

IMG_1053283

The Nuxalk First Nation are the original inhabitants of this area, before a group of Norwegians settled here because it looked like home.

Our first stop was the First Nation school.

IMG_1053215

IMG_1053220

This was over the front entrance way.

IMG_1053222

And a reminder of that sad and stupid period of Canadian history where their kids were taken away to the terrible residential schools.

IMG_1053223

IMG_1053224

There were a couple of poles out front.

IMG_1053227

IMG_1053228

IMG_1053229

IMG_1053230

IMG_1053218

IMG_1053225

Then into Bella Coola.

IMG_1053234

I am not sure if this building was still in use.

IMG_1053237

IMG_1053236

Down by the river was a carving in tribute to the eulachon (a small smelt like fish), the grease from which was an important part of the trading economy.

IMG_1053238

Every year it gets a new set of clothes.

IMG_1053243

IMG_1053246

Another building called “New Beginnings” had this pole.

IMG_1053248

IMG_1053254

IMG_1053255

IMG_1053256

Jennie spent some time browsing through the local department store.

IMG_1053258

Afterwards we went across the street to have lunch at the Bella Coola Valley Inn. The menu had a bit of everything. I had a halibut burger and Jennie had a Korean seafood hot pot. Both were very good. There were all the regular burgers but also sushi, ramen and even quesadillas.

Up the street the Co-op had some murals on the side.

IMG_1053274

As you can tell, I like the closeups.

IMG_1053275

IMG_1053277

IMG_1053276

And across street was another tribute to healing from the residential schools.

IMG_1053260

IMG_1053259

The mother at the base.

IMG_1053262

One of the four children above her.

IMG_1053271

Above them is the father without a mouth, “representing the turmoil of a life without a voice”.

IMG_1053264

The sun surrounded by two ravens.

IMG_1053270

Above then is a half man, half raven, “representing a people reclaiming their culture”.

IMG_1053273

The four carpenter’s faces are at the very top.

Then we headed home.

1 comment:

  1. Very powerful pictures of the totems, carvings and the stories of the residential schools. Thanks for posting all of it!

    ReplyDelete