Britannia Secondary is proud to announce a new piece of artwork to its structural site; The Brown Bear Totem has been raised as the center piece in the Secondary Schools' inner court yard.

The project began three months ago when carver and teacher Art Bolton Tsimshian was commissioned to teach two separate classes the fundamentals and functions of wood carving. Two art classes spent their A and D blocks for three months doing upards to 80% of the physical carving.

Art, and his assistant Joe Bolton, had the job of instructing the students in how to use the specific tools to particular fucntions. Lines and curves were drawn on the wood with felts and the students carved along those lines.

When the pole was prepared, Britannia called out the Tsimshian of Vancouver to come to ensure the pole was raised and adorned in the traditional manner. A great chief from the tribe of Kitwangax, Chief Ken Harris (Sm'ooygit Hagbegwatku) came to bless the pole the way it had been done in the past from the lands totem poles first originated. A prayer ceremony and smudging was led by Pamela Bolton (daughter of carver Art Bolton), followed by the first Lim'k Oy (Blessing) by Sm'ooygit Hagbewatku.

Then Tsimshian singers and eight students chosen from the two art classes carried the 8 foot pole around to the front of the school in a grand procession attended by nearly 300 school and community members. The pole was rested at the front doors of the school where Principal, Randy Clark honourably welcomed the sculptured gift into its new home.

Finally, the pole procession was led through the school and into the inner court-yard where the pole's concrete base was awaiting. A pole raising song was sang by the Tsimshian singers then the pole was lifted onto its base and fastened to its final place.

Sm'ooygit Hagbegwatku then gave a final Lim'k Oy song, said a prayer in the Sm'algyax language, then gave an inspirations speech to the many nations in attendance.

The audience seemed to appreciate being witness to an exhibit of an ancient culture that still survives with us today. The Secondary school of Britannia followed properly a protocol that has its origins at the time of the great Flood (since the time of Noah's Ark), and conducted by a Chief who's lineage is traceable from a time proven before the Egyptian Civilization. So with his headdress, robe, and 300 year old regalia, the pole was blessed, and the people commenced proceeded to the reception room where a feast was given and everyone left full. As the First Nations say, "that is the way it is supposed to be."

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