The Jasper Raven Totem Pole

The Jasper Raven Totem Pole was created by a Haida master carver in the Queen Charlotte Islands (British Columbia) sometime during the 1870s–1880s. It was acquired by the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (later the Canadian National Railway) in 1915, at which time it was moved to Jasper National Park. Erected near the train station, it has proudly greeted visitors ever since. When Parks Canada purchased Jasper’s Heritage Railway Station in 2000, it also acquired the pole.  

In 2006, Parks Canada staff noticed that the raven’s beak at the top of the pole was damaged and appeared ready to fall off. They asked their most experienced wood conservator, Rick Lair in Winnipeg, to examine it. Rick discovered that the top of the pole was decayed and splitting in two, and that the beak was indeed about to fall off. He suspected the pole had become a danger to the public, and contacted James Hay at the Canadian Conservation Institute for a second opinion. James had previously spent many years at the Canadian Museum of Civilization, where he had played a major part in conserving the world’s biggest collection of old totem poles for exhibition. Parks Canada contracted James to examine the Jasper Raven Totem Pole and write a report outlining future treatment options.

In 2008, Rick and James worked together on a manlift (driven by Ray Magnan of Parks Canada, Jasper) to survey the front, back, and sides of the pole from top to bottom. Using their eyes, a camera, and an IML “Resistograph” (a tool new to conservation), as well as the knowledge gained through years of experience, they determined that the pole was rotting, bore an inappropriate paint scheme, and was only tenuously attached to its support. It was a safety hazard that could topple at any time. The subsequent report recommended that the pole be taken down as soon as possible to salvage what remained of it. Further, given the pole’s iconic significance, a new pole should be carved by the Haida to take its place.

Thanks to support from Parks Canada, these recommendations have been carried out. The original pole was taken down on April 3, 2009 and will journey from Vancouver to Old Massett (Haida Gwaii) to be repatriated.  A new pole is due to be delivered in the summer of 2010.  This is a story with a happy ending — the continuing existence of the old pole, and the beginning of a new pole with a life of its own.

Learn more:

• CCI Note:  Caring for Totem Poles Displayed Indoors
• CCI Note:  Caring for Totem Poles Displayed Outdoors
• CCI Workshop Calendar- Caring for Totem Poles