Originally carved by Mungo Martin in 1902 (Alert Bay). Refurbished by Mungo Martin in 1949. Erected in UBC Totem Park and moved to MOA Great Hall c. 1976.
This pole was on display at UBC in Totem Park in the 1960’s and 1970’s and moved to the Museum in the late 1970’s. It was carved in 1914 in Tsaxis (Fort Rupert) by George Hunt Sr. for the Edward S. Curtis film "In the Land of the War Canoes" which was originally titled "In the Land of the Head Hunters". The pole was collected by Marius Barbeau and Arthur Price in 1947. The pole was repaired and re-painted by carvers Ellen Neel in 1949 and Mungo Martin in 1950-51. It stood at Totem Park, UBC Campus until it was re-located to the Museum's Great Hall in 1976.
Iconography: Kolus is a young thunderbird. Thunderbird is a supernatural bird identifiable by the presence of ear-like projections or horns on the head, and a re-curved beak. The pole alludes to the story of Tongas people in south Alaska, who migrated south.
Item is a sound recording of Audrey Hawthorn discussing the work of Mungo Martin as he provides a carving demonstration. Mungo Martin does not speak during the recording. Audrey Hawthorn provides a brief biography of Mungo Martin, a description of his work carving the totem poles that stand at UBC’s totem park, the tools he uses, his design process and lastly describes the the intricate steps required to create Kwakiutl wood carvings.
Totem pole standing in Totem Park at UBC. The pole on the viewer's left was carved by Mungo Martin and the pole on the right was carved by George Hunt Senior.
A totem pole hangs from a crane as it is being moved form its original position to Totem Park to its new home in the new Museum of Anthropology building. This pole was originally carved by Charlie James and later restored by Mungo Martin before being placed in Totem Park.
A totem pole standing in Totem Park before being moved to the new Museum of Anthropology building. This pole was carved by Mungo Martin and later restored by him at the University of British Columbia in 1950-51. It stood in Totem Park until it was moved to the new Museum of Anthropology building in 1975.
Scaffolding surrounds a totem pole standing in Totem Park in preparation for moving it to the new Museum of Anthropology building. This pole was carved by Mungo Martin and later restored by him at the University of British Columbia in 1950-51. It stood in Totem Park until it was moved to the new Museum of Anthropology building in 1975.
Workers stand on a scaffold to wrap a totem pole in padding to prepare it for being moved from its position in Totem Park to the new Museum of Anthropology building. This totem pole was originally carved by Charlie James and later restored by Mungo Martin.
Workers gather around as a totem pole is about to be lifted from its position as part of its being moved from its position in Totem Park to the new Museum of Anthropology building. This totem pole was originally carved by Charlie James and later restored by Mungo Martin.
A workers climbs down from a scaffolding from which he was preparing a totem pole for being moved from its position in Totem Park to the new Museum of Anthropology building. This totem pole was originally carved by Charlie James and later restored by Mungo Martin.
Workers stand on a scaffold to wrap a totem pole in padding to prepare it for being moved from its position in Totem Park to the new Museum of Anthropology building. This totem pole was originally carved by Charlie James and later restored by Mungo Martin.
A totem pole being lifted by a crane to move it from its position in Totem Park to the new Museum of Anthropology building. This totem pole was originally carved by Charlie James and later restored by Mungo Martin.
A totem pole being lifted by a crane to move it from its position in Totem Park to the new Museum of Anthropology building. This totem pole was originally carved by Charlie James and later restored by Mungo Martin.
A totem pole being lifted by a crane to move it from its position in Totem Park to the new Museum of Anthropology building. This totem pole was originally carved by Charlie James and later restored by Mungo Martin.
Museum of Anthropology staff discuss moving a totem pole from Totem Park to the new Museum of Anthropology building. Michael M. Ames is the figure second from the viewer's right. The totem pole in the background was carved by Mungo Martin and restored by him at UBC in 1950-51.