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Stanley Park Totem Poles

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Stanley Park Totem Poles
Photo: photo source

The Brockton Point display brings carved poles and welcome figures by First Nations artists into one of Stanley Park’s most visited settings.

Guide's tip. Read every artist and Nation label before treating the poles as one group. Each carving has its own maker, community and purpose, while the harbour setting adds another layer to the view. Stanley Park is generally open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

On a walking tour. Stop 7 of 9 on the walking tour Vancouver, harbour to the museum, every stop on a map in walking order.

Open till 22:00 · about 60 min for a visit

The story

The carved poles at Brockton Point are among Stanley Park’s most visited places, but they are not one anonymous historic collection. Different First Nations artists and communities made the poles and welcome figures at different times, and labels identify the makers, Nations and stories that can be shared publicly.

That specificity matters. Northwest Coast carving traditions are living practices, and the display has changed as older poles were moved indoors for preservation and new works were commissioned or installed.

Read the label for every work you study. Look at formline, paint, negative space and the relationship between figures before using Universal Gallery as a secondary research tool. The outdoor display is free. The city generally lists Stanley Park from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., while roads, trails and facilities can close independently.

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