New totem pole in B.C. acknowledges Canada's legacy of Indian hospitals

CBC

21-06-2025

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An Indigenous community near Prince Rupert, B.C., raised a new memorial totem pole ahead of National Indigenous People's Day to honour those who were affected by the Miller Bay TB Hospital.
According to the Lax Kw'alaams Band, the Miller Bay TB Hospital, which operated from 1946 to 1971, was used by the federal government to isolate and treat Indigenous patients with tuberculosis (TB). Many of them were children who were forcibly removed from their communities and patients were often separated from family for years at a time.
In a statement, the Lax Kw'alaams Band said Friday's pole raising ceremony was part of a day of remembrance and healing.
"We wanted to recognize [and educate] people throughout Canada and B.C. on Miller Bay and the effects that it had on a lot of people," said Joey Wesley, a councillor with Lax Kw'alaams Band.
"One way that we wanted to recognize and honour everyone was to carve and raise a totem pole in memory."
The pole was carved by Mike Epp, a Tsimshian carver.
In a press release, Epp said the monument is made out of red cedar and represents healing for the survivors of Miller Bay TB Hospital.
"I can't wait to see how it looks standing up," he said ahead of Friday's event, noting that pole-raising ceremonies bring the community together.
The Miller Bay TB Hospital was one of at least three major Indian hospitals that operated in B.C., according to the University of British Columbia's Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre.
Indian hospitals were substandard facilities operated by the federal government starting in the 1930s to separate Indigenous people from the rest of the Canadian population to stop the spread of tuberculosis.
Tens of thousands of First Nations, Inuit and Mé​​​​​tis patients, including children, were admitted to the overcrowded, poorly staffed and unsanitary institutions. Survivors allege they faced physical and sexual abuse from hospital staff, along with forcible confinement to beds without a medical reason. Some say they were also the subject of medical experiments.
In March, Ottawa reached a proposed settlement agreement with survivors of Indian hospitals to provide individual compensation ranging from $10,000 to $200,000.
Totem pole figure meanings, from bottom to top
Epp says that the bottom figure of the totem pole is a shaman.
"The shaman is there to help heal the people that are still dealing with their trauma from the hospital," Epp told CBC's Daybreak North.
Above the shaman is a figure of a woman chief, who is holding a young man in her hands.
"This part represents continuing the traditions, teaching the young people in the tribe how to carry themselves."
Four small figures are above the woman chief, representing the people who were lost in the Miller Bay Hospital. On one side are men, on the other side are women.
Above that is a foot and a half of blank space where pieces of copper are going to be installed. The copper pieces are being sent to Epp from family members who were impacted.
A warrior with copper in one hand, and a spear in another, sits on top of the blank spot. The warrior represents the resilience of First Nations people and their role as guardians of future generations, lands and waters.