July 11, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
New Hazelton, Historic & Heritage Sites
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I recently visited the New Hazelton area and ventured up to Kispiox. If you travel down Totem Drive in Kispiox, it will lead you straight to 10 totem poles erected near the place where the Kispiox and Skeena Rivers meet. Each pole is completely different from the next in height, diameter, and the carved figures. I found it interesting that some of the poles were only carved partway up, and others featured birds or other animals perched on top while others had bare tops. I’ll definitely have to do some research into the meaning of this…or better yet, stop by the Kispiox cultural centre where they provide guided tours of the poles – I’m sure they’d know exactly why this is!
Seeing these 10 poles side-by-side really helped me appreciate the amount of time and skill that goes in to creating each pole. I’m hoping to travel to Kitwanga and Gitanyow to see the totem poles in those villages as well!