The rattle and wheeze of the chainsaw. A hole left in the sky.

One year ago, Jasper’s raven totem pole was pulled down to earth under the watchful eye of Jasper National Park crews. After casting its shadow for 94 years in the Canadian Rockies, a rotting base had made the structure unsafe, and much uncertainty swirled around the tower which for years has caused delight and division in Jasper.

However last week, Jasper National Park finally announced detailed plans for the journey of the old totem and the construction of its replacement. It will be accompanied by educational and marketing strategies, as well as the unshakable debate about the totem’s presence in the park.

On June 16, Jasperites will get their chance to pay their final respects to the old totem. First Nations leaders with the Haida Gwaii will bring the totem back to Jasper for four days and will stop in Calgary, Edmonton and Kamloops, according to Jasper Totem Project Co-ordinator Lori Dowling, where it will be included in several celebrations. She’s currently looking for stories about the old totem, and is asking the public to share their memories for a scrap book that will join the old totem on its final journey.

“We’d love to hear stories about the totem pole. We know there have been proposals underneath it and other shared memories,” Dowling said, noting that her father Bob Dowling has already given her a list of 20 people to talk to.

The totem, which has had four homes in Jasper over the years, is currently getting a facelift in Vancouver. Much to the disappointment of the Haida, coat upon coat of lead paint cover the spiritual symbol, and they’ve asked Parks Canada not to photograph it until it has been returned to its original state. 

“The Haida are not happy with the painted colours,” Dowling said.

Parks Canada did not use traditional colours when they painted the totem, so the aqua blue and bright white must be removed in order for its integrity to be restored. Ironically, lead paint helped preserve the structure, which is estimated to be 140 years old. Most totems have a lifespan of 80 years. 

“It’s a big job getting the paint off,” Dowling said.

After it is shipped east in a special travelling crate, Jasperites and visitors will have four days (June 12 to 16) to see the traditionally painted totem in town before it is shipped to the Queen Charlotte Islands forever. Members of the Haida Gwaii will accompany the totem (which will be shipped by truck, not train as originally planned), making stops in Prince George and Prince Rupert before ferrying to its home on the Queen Charlotte Islands. 

The Haida near Masset, B.C. plan to display the totem in a traditional manner before it is returned to the forest. While it will be used as an educational trip, there will be a tourism marketing element tied to the totem’s final journey. Via Rail is selling totem train tickets for the journey west. Several totems from Masset were acquired by rail companies at the turn of the century, and placed along the rail line as a marketing ploy. There is still controversy about the nature of these acquisitions, however Environment Minister Jim Prentice acknowledged last summer the old totem belongs in Masset.

Not all are happy about the return of the totem, or the commissioning of a new structure. The presence of a Haida Gwaii spiritual symbol has polarized opinions in several first nations communities. Some aboriginal groups with traditional ties to the area have called the totem offensive, while others are happy to see it. Erecting a structure with spiritual ties to a tribe with no history in the area lies at the heart of the matter.

David MacPhee, president of the Aseniwuche Winewak Nation of Canada believes that some people are overreacting to the totem, but he understands why it is so controversial.

“Things could have been done differently,” MacPhee said. “It’s different what it means on the coast, but for other tribes, it has a different meaning.”

By taking a spiritual interpretation of the totem, MacPhee said some are offended.

MacPhee said Parks has opened the door for dialogue with his tribe, but he’s staying away from the issue for the time being.

Calls to Chief Cameron Alexis of the Alexis Nakota Sioux First Nation were not returned.

Giindajin Haawasti Guujaaw, a Haida carver with the Raven clan said totems are now appearing all over the world, and are considered valuable art pieces. They symbolize one’s relationship with nature, he told the Fitzhugh last summer.

JNP Aboriginal Liason Officer Sherrill Meropoulis said Parks Canada is doing its best to ensure the needs of all aboriginal communities are met by acting as a liason between the Haida and local aboriginal groups. A proper protocol will be followed to ensure groups will get their say.

“The totem is not representative of the aboriginal groups in Jasper. We’ll work with those who have ties to the parks so we can celebrate them,” Meropoulis said.

Meropoulis said Parks has spoken to members of its aboriginal forum about the new totem and what to expect. 

“Concurrent with the Haida totem, we’ll do local aboriginal celebrations through the summer,” Meropoulis said. That could include elder residency and cultural programs.

After coming to an agreement with Haida Gwaii native carvers, the new totem is slated to arrive late this summer, and will be about 40 feet high. According to Dowling, it will tell the story of two brothers who travelled to the Rocky Mountains, and will include animals native to Jasper. Along with the two brothers, the carving will depict a raven, mountain goat, dragon fly and grizzly bear, mixing the mountains and the coast. It’s a traditional story, but one both sides agreed upon. The last few weeks of carving will take place in Jasper, Dowling said.

“We asked the carvers to save the last few weeks of work to complete in Jasper,” Dowling said.

Standing amidst the mountains of Jasper, the new totem is sure follow in its predecessor’s footprint, instilling awe and debate within the community.

Those looking to share their stories about the totem pole can contact the Fitzhugh or Dowling at 780-852-8645.