Totem Poles In Downtown Duncan – Totem Pole Walking Tour
Raven Stealing The Sun
The Raven Stealing The Sun totem pole is displayed at the intersection of Canada Avenue and Station Street in downtown Duncan. It was carved in 1990 by Donald Smith and stands 3.6m (11’11”) in height.
Raven Stealing The Sun features four figures: the Raven, the Sun, the Bald Eagle and the Eagle Spirit.
Carver Don Smith explains the meaning of Raven Stealing The Sun as:
“The Raven [is] on the top, the face in the middle represents the Sun and the bottom figure is the Eagle.
[The Eagle] is in a sitting position. His wings come out from the side and he’s holding the Sun, grasping it, taking it back from the Raven.
The Raven is mischievous and he stole the Sun. The Eagle represents the hero and he brings [the Sun] back. In this particular version, they are locking…fighting over [the Sun]…the Raven stealing it and the Eagle returning it.
The face in the middle of the chest of the Eagle…represents the Spirit, like an Inner Spirit of the Eagle.”
Raven Stealing The Sun was returned to public view in July 2016 after being removed from public display for several months to undergo maintenance and restoration.
The maintenance involved repairing wood rot at the base of the pole, repairing insect damage and retouching the painted figures. When it was returned to public display, hockey pucks were placed under the base of the pole to allow air to circulate beneath the pole to prevent moisture absorption and rot as well to allow access for insect treatment.
Here are some photos of Raven Stealing The Sun while it was undergoing restoration.
Raven Stealing The Sun is presently undergoing maintenance and has been removed from public display for that purpose.
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