Kwakwaka’wakw Totem Pole Raised at the Japanese National Museum of Ethnology

In preparation for the opening of Japan’s National Ainu Museum in April 2020, the National Museum of Ethnology (called ‘Minpaku’) wanted to present an exhibition of Indigenous art. They commissioned the Kwakwaka’wakw carver Bill Henderson of the Wei Wai Kum Nation in Campbell River to construct a traditional totem pole to be sent to Japan. The pole depicts an eagle, sisiutl (sea serpent), a grizzly bear, and a salmon, which evoked Henderson’s family history and Campbell River’s fishing industry. Professors and administrators from Minpaku visited Campbell River to view the totem pole before it was shipped to Osaka, and erected on June 24, 2020.

The resulting exhibition, “Treasures of Indigenous Peoples”, featured Ainu artwork alongside Indigenous works from Taiwan (Tao), Guatemala (Maya), and Canada (Coast Salish).