Artistic Significance Of Recent Poles Raised By The First Nations Of Haida-Gwaii (Essay Sample)

ARTISTIC SIGNIFICANCE OF RECENT POLES RAISED BY THE FIRST NATIONS OF HAIDA-GWAII
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In less than a year ago, more than two hundred Haida-Gwai people participated in raising one of the most-historical legacy poles. The pole, which is believed to be about forty-two feet, was a symbol of celebrating twenty years of a good cooperative management since this group of people signed the Gwaii Haanas Agreement. The agreement was between the Haida-Gwaii community and the Canadian government. Canada's parks graced the ceremony and environment Ministers was to declare that the cultural Gwaii Haanas legacy still existed in Hlk’yah GawGa.
The monumental poles were marking over two decades of good management in that exceptional place. The monumental poles were used to commemorate the history and old stories of the Haida. The agreement made between the Gwaii, and the Haanas is historic among the two groups since the groups had disagreed about the title to be given to Haida Gwaii. Therefore, the legacy pole was meant to tell the story of how the two groups work together for the common good of all. This togetherness leads to good care of both land and water sources for the good will of all people.[Bruce Kirkby. “Raising a Pole on the ‘Islands of the People.” The New York Times (Jan 2014): 1-3. /2014/01/05/travel/raising-a-pole-on-the-islands-of-the-people.html?_r=0 (accessed May 27, 2014).]
The totem pole is to stand as an appropriate cultural icon and a gift from the aboriginal people living in Canada. There were a lot of historical events associated with this park and poles. After Jasper Park got created in 1907, its first nation inhabitants living around this region were forced to leave. However, a Haida totem pole featured a Raven got erected for tourists who visited the park. This pole stood at the park for 94 years before it began to rot where it was brought down in 2009. A few years later, Jasper Park returned the old pole to Haida Gwaii. The task of carving a new pole was assigned to two carvers from the islands. Two brothers Jaalen and Gwaii Edenshaw claim that the new pole symbolizes two brothers who moved from Haidi Gwaii to the Rockies. One returns home while the other one remains. First nation of Haida Gwaii believe that the story the pole tell will live on.
The Ocean and Fisheries departments have been working with the Parks department to develop art among different parks just like it was done in Gwaii Haanas. The day was a testament of continued cooperation between works of art and conservation of fisheries and oceans between the Canadian government and first nations of Haida Gwaii. The beauty of the commemorations was well-told by various artistic impressions were embedded on the pole.
This legacy pole was the first monumental pole to be erected after a period of more than 130 years, especially in Haida Heritage Site, the remote neighborhood of Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, and the National Marine Conservation Area Reserve. The design of the pole was developed by carver Jaalen Edenshaw and inspired by all who continually took care of Gwaii Haanas. It was selected due to its details that portrayed interconnections that exist between land, sea and oceans, and people. People got represented in forms of human, animals and various supernatural carved forms.[Lyndsie Bourgon. “Southern Haida Gwaii will see the first carved pole raised in more than a century.” The Globe and Mail (Aug 2013): 2-3. /news/national/haida-gwaii-will-see-th...