Kakaso'Las Totem Pole
The Kakaso'Las Totem Pole was masterfully carved by Ellen Neel, a widely celebrated pioneer of modern Northwest Coast indigenous art.
Plaque Transcription
KAKASO'LAS
People come from far away to seek her advice
Kwakwaka'wakw carver Ellen Neel and her uncle Mungo Martin were among the first artists to achieve wide recognition for their totem poles commissioned by museums, cities, and art collectors. Neel was also the first woman to become a Northwest Coast carver. This pole was completed in 1955 for Woodward's Department Store.
In memory of Neel's pioneering role in reaching an international audience through her art, the University of British Columbia Museum of Anthropology has loaned this pole to Stanley Park.
Photo caption: Ellen Neel (second from left) working with her family at Stanley Park in 1955.
Structural Crest Hierarchy
From top to bottom, the detailed carvings on the pole represent the following historic Kwakwaka'wakw crests:
- Sea Bear holding a killer whale (position at the very top apex)
- Man figure underneath the bear paws
- Frog crest
- Bak'was (The legendary "wildman of the woods")
- Dzunukwa (The wild giantess of the forest)
- Raven (Positioned firmly at the base anchor)
Photo Gallery
Where is the Kakaso'Las Totem Pole?
While the structural clearing remains at Brockton Point alongside the other active First Nations Totem Poles, the physical wood carving is no longer on display in Stanley Park. It has been safely repatriated into the archival collections of the UBC Museum of Anthropology located on the Point Grey campus of the University of British Columbia for permanent indoor preservation.