By Steven Cayer
Earlier this year I had the opportunity to interview a First Nations carver, who was working on his latest creation.
Cancer, alcoholism, suicide, and heart problems are all taking their toll on Sliammon, a small First Nations community near Powell River. How better to remember the many lost souls by creating a totem pole in their honor. The chief of Sliammon had the idea to let people submit designs for a totem pole. Jackie Timothy had the best design and was asked to create his design. He said yes.
Jackie is a resident of Burnaby and his family is really important to him. His youngest son Tanner attends Burnaby Mountain Secondary School, and that is where I interviewed him, as he carved his totem pole. Jackie’s wife teaches in the same school district. He wanted to be close to his family so he decided to create the totem pole at Burnaby Mountain.
Walking down the beach as a boy, he picked up a small log and was bored, so he started to carve. In his village, it’s a tradition that the first carving anyone does goes to either a relative, elder, or a friend. When Jackie made his first carving, he gave it to his former boss, who became his best friend. This was back in 1975. The totem pole he is working on now was completed before the 2009/2010 school year, and it was then transported back to Powell River.
As we finished our talk, Jackie left me with these words to live by: “Do not forget who you are.”