Ninety-four years ago, the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway acquired several totem poles from the Haida Gwaii in Massett, British Columbia for use in an anachronistic tourism campaign. The deal appeared to be shady, but in its wake, thousands of tourists caught a glimpse of these remarkable structures.

Now the Haida Gwaii carvers are recognized for their craftsmenship worldwide. What were once highly spiritual and sacred symbols are now also works of art sold around the globe for hundreds of thousands of dollars. When the federal government ordered Jasper National Park to replace its old totem, it did so with that interpretation. While this raises questions of the commodification of native culture and the interpretation of totems in non-traditional settings, it also draws attention to Parks Canada’s relationships to First Nations people with traditional ties to the area. It appears there is much work to be done.

For some First Nation groups with traditional ties to the area, the totem is something else entirely. While some tribes support it, others believe it is a spiritual symbol obviously unreflective of their culture, and opens wounds for a people who were evicted from the Park 100 years ago. There are very few monuments that tell the First Nation story in Jasper National Park, why spend $300,000 on a structure from the wrong tribe?

Spiritually, we can see their point. If the federal government were to purchase a 40 foot statue of Jesus or Buddha, imagine the outcry. There is a smattering of cultural insensitivity in this deal.

The fact of the matter is aboriginal policy should by driven by First Nations themselves. It is not something to be carted out to increase tourism visits, thus perpetuating the myth of the exotic Indian. We are encouraged to hear Parks Canada will facilitate (not lead) discussions between the Haida Gwaii and the local tribes on how to handle the protocol of the totem raising, however it’s disappointing these talks are occurring after so many decisions have been made. Throughout history, native groups have certainly had enough top down, paternalistic treatment from Ottawa. Had they been included in the totem talks beforehand, these issues would have been mitigated.

The decision now has Jasper National Park working to set up more traditional First Nation events in the park for the summer. Unfortunately at this time, nothing has been finalized, but the park says they are open. Witness last summer’s celebration of the return of the Metis as an example. Parks changed its backcountry pack horse policy to accommodate 76 Metis children.

The new totem will arrive in Jasper this summer and is being promoted as an educational tool for the Park. Let’s hope the lessons of cultural relations learned with this totem stick.