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Master carver at Heritage Centre

Excitement is building at the Egmont Heritage Centre (EHC) as master carver Arnold "Kwatamus" Jones prepares an old growth cedar log to be carved into a memorial totem pole at the centre.

Excitement is building at the Egmont Heritage Centre (EHC) as master carver Arnold "Kwatamus" Jones prepares an old growth cedar log to be carved into a memorial totem pole at the centre. Jones, who has been carving totem poles since the early '70s, intends to carve an eight-metre pole that will memorialize the families of old Egmont. The original Native village of Kwatamus and eventually Egmont was across the inlet from the present day Egmont.

Jones will carve the pole in the traditional manner using hand tools. He will be using animals and crests to represent old Egmont including the eagle, raven, whale and bear. The artist is keeping to himself two surprise elements that will not be revealed until the final ceremony.

The process began this spring when Jones contacted Doug Sladey about getting a cedar log. Sladey put him in touch with Kevin Davie, and with co-operation, a large cedar log was donated by the Sechelt Community Forest and delivered to the centre by Lon's Crane Service. The log delivery was filmed for use in the B.C. Pavilion at the Beijing Summer Olympics. The EHC is also filming the carving process to be developed into a documentary.

"We need to see totem poles so there is a constant display of this great part of our culture," said Jones. "We also need to share these gifts with the many different nationalities that come to visit our Egmont community."

Jones is also hoping the project will draw the interest of the younger generation and perhaps encourage them to pursue their own artistic talents. He said he will be happy to help them in whatever way he can while working on this project. Over the years, Jones has shared his expertise with many, including other Sechelt Indian Band (SIB) members and students at Sechelt, Gibsons and Madeira Park elementary schools.

Totem poles that Jones has carved are up and down the Coast including poles at St. Mary's Hospital, SIB lands, the Backeddy Pub and Raven's Cry Theatre. Jones has other carvings in collections all over the world, including plaques, small poles and paddles.

The public is invited to view the carving process and a covered area is being set up on the grounds where Jones will work. Meanwhile, fundraising to support the totem pole continues. A salmon barbecue was held last weekend at the centre to raise funds and was attend by about 70 people. Raffle tickets are being sold and corporations and businesses are encouraged to contribute to the totem pole fund.

When completed the totem pole will be presented in a traditional Native pole raising ceremony that will include carrying the pole through the village, a blessing, raising of the pole by hand and a potlatch celebration.

Call the centre at 604-883-9994 for more information or visit their website at www.egmontheritagecentre.com.

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