Long-time Jasperite says ‘yes’

Residents have been lamenting the loss of Jasper’s world famous Raven Totem Pole, which was taken down on April 3 and is resting under cover at the Parks Canada compound. However, only one long-time resident and history buff, Harry Home, has taken upon himself to investigate options for carving a replica totem pole.

Home became concerned with the treatment of Jasper-related artifacts after the takedown of the roundhouse and lobstick, which now sits without a home in the Parks Canada compound along with the totem pole. 

When visiting Bashaw, Alta, his wife’s hometown a few weeks ago, Home approached a friend of his, Ola Olson of One Plus One Construction Ltd. with the idea of carving a historically accurate replica of the Raven Pole. Olson has a craftsman who can do the job, said Home, and the estimated cost for the project is $213,000.

Although Home will be presenting his initiative to council on May 19, he doesn’t think that the town should be the only actor to pick up the tab. Home wants to get the “three major players” onside, which are the railroad, Parks Canada and the town. This is a “win-win” situation for the town, Parks and the railroad to work together, he added. 

Canadian National spokesman for Manitoba, Saskatchewan and east Alberta, Kevin Franchuk, stated that CN takes these kinds of donation requests on a “case-by-case basis.” 

Parks Canada officials said the Park is currently taking suggestions for commemoration of the totem pole site.  

As for the current totem pole, Home believes that it should be “retired with some sort of dignity. What a wonderful piece of history,” he said, adding that “to me, it deserves the dignity of lying in state. It deserves a place of honour in Jasper.” 

The Raven Pole “was a gesture of goodwill from the Indian to the white man who was encroaching on his territory,” said Home, adding that “so often the stories of the white man settling North America are pretty bad, in fact they’re terrible,” but the story of the Raven Pole is a positive one. 

For an old-time railroader, Home has always had a strong affinity for the Raven Pole. He enthusiastically recalled hearing the voice crackling over the loudspeaker at the train station announcing the arrival of train and that the bus to Jasper Park Lodge was parked on the totem pole side of the station.