February 23, 2025
If you’ve driven into Seaspan’s Pemberton campus over the past couple weeks, you might have noticed something new welcoming employees to work. On February 7, 2025 the 18-foot-tall totem pole that now stands at the entrance to the campus was officially unveiled through an “Opening of the Eyes” ceremony, a traditional Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) ritual. This ceremony marked the culmination of over a year of work by Master Carver Darren Yelton. Yet, this totem pole’s history stretches back much further than February.
This pole was originally carved in 1948 by Master Carver Tommy Moses, as a gift to then-North Vancouver mayor Charles Cates. From then on, the pole stood by the Cates Building in Lonsdale Quay for more than 70 years.
By 2020, the pole was in unfavourable shape. The original colours that Tommy Moses had chosen for the pole had been painted over, in addition to the wear and tear of time inflicting the pole with holes and rot. Because of this, the pole was taken down in a “Closing of the Eyes” ceremony, and tucked away in storage.
Despite this, the totem pole had a reawakening only five years after it was taken down — a rebirth made possible only through the restoration efforts of Squamish Nation artist, Darren Yelton.
During February’s ceremony at Seaspan, Wendy Keyzer, Seaspan’s Manager of Strategy and Business Development, recounted the moment when these efforts started. “I had the pleasure of meeting Darren Yelton when we went to the site where the totem pole was stored,” she said. “There was a moment of complete, profound silence when we all gazed on the totem pole. We just understood immediately that this totem pole’s story was not done.”
The purpose of an Opening of the Eyes ceremony is not just to celebrate the revival of the totem pole and its story, however. It also serves to relieve the artist from their work, symbolically releasing the connection between the two. One of the first steps in doing this is the act of cedar brushing. Blankets were laid on the ground for Darren to stand upon, a representation of a sacred place. As he stood there, both he and the pole he carved were brushed with cedar boughs. Aaron Williams from Squamish Nation acted as the host of the ceremony and explained the practice in more detail.
“This placement would be considered a place that’s like being in the womb of your mother — sacred, pure,” he said. “So, the person that’s going to get stood up here today is going to be released from the work he had done on the pole.”
Happening in conjunction with the cedar brushing is the ceremonial totem pole song that was performed during the ceremony. With this song, Darren was symbolically connected with his ancestors, those who also carved totem poles.
“Our ancestor relative, Buffalo Matthias, was singing that song when he was carving a totem pole,” said Bob Baker, a member of the Eagle Song Dancers who spoke and performed at the ceremony. “We have one of the carvers here who is walking in that same light, that same spirit singing that song, because of the ancestors.”
Yet, just as much as the song was speaking to Darren as an artist, it also was meant to resonate within the totem pole itself.
“The totem pole song is appropriate because of the significance of this totem pole, and what it says to us,” said Bob. “As long as it is standing there, it’ll be telling us who our ancestors are — the strength of our spirituality, our respect for nature, our way of expressing creativity and expressing our joy for life.”
This idea of the pole being more than just a tangible object was expanded upon as, after the totem pole song and cedar brushing, witnesses were called to remark on their experiences at the event.
Jordan Pechie, President of Seaspan Marine and a member of the Ermineskin Cree First Nation, reflected upon the metaphorical elements of the pole that transcended its physical attributes.
“This totem pole is much more than just a carving of wood,” he said. “It’s a connection to our ancestors, a representation of family, culture, and the teachings passed down through generations. This will stand as a guidepost, reminding us of who we are, where we come from, and the responsibilities we must carry forward.”
When Darren was invited up to speak to his own work, he echoed similar sentiments, stressing the significance the pole holds as a symbol.
“I usually don’t call them poles myself. I call them markers, because our nation members, our Squamish Nation people, need to leave more of these markers in our territories to let the public know that this area once belonged to our people,” he said. “The symbols you see on the totem pole are very significant and strong to our people.”
Having the totem pole reawakened at the Pemberton campus serves a few key purposes. It’s a small part of Seaspan’s ongoing commitment towards reconciliation, while also honouring the history of the land that Seaspan is now fortunate enough to build ships on — a history that is inseparable from the Squamish Nation and its people.
Yet, it also honours the history of the Squamish in a more intimate way — through the memory of the late Tommy Moses, in a remembrance of his work.
“Tommy Moses will always be remembered through this wonderful totem pole,” said Darren. “It’s going to live on again.”
The process of fixing this pole, while long and arduous, has resulted in a monument that can stand as a testament to the history of the Squamish Nation, to the artistic vision of Tommy Moses, and to the determination and hard work of Darren Yelton.
While Darren was released from his work on the totem pole during February’s ceremony, perhaps the most important part of his efforts is one that will still stick with him — the pride he takes in his work.
“I’m very proud of how it turned out, the pole turned out beautifully. As a First Nations artist, when you restore an ancestral work, it just brings a stronger spirit in your heart.”