James Hart, Reconciliation Pole

The Reconciliation Pole, a 55-foot red cedar pole, was carved by 7idansuu (Edenshaw), James Hart, Haida master carver and hereditary chief. The pole tells the story of the time before, during, and after the Indian residential school system. Lower and upper portions of the pole represent different times before and after Indian Residential Schools. On top of the pole is an eagle about to take flight, which Hart says represents “the power and determination needed to look towards the future.”

DNA is honored to have provided in depth consultant services to the Project Team concerning the design of the totem pole foundations and coordinating the design of the ceremonial raising on April 1st, 2017.  The Pole was raised in the Haida tradition manually by hundreds of people taking up ropes to get the pole into an upright position.

Checkout DNA media’s own footage on the momentous day from the eagle’s head: