A totem pole: Salford's latest tall story
A Canadian Indian totem pole donated to a shipping company 37 years ago could soon form the latest chapter in the extraordinary story of Salford's revival.
The city's unlikely links with Native American Sioux indians, and the derelict totem pole all form part of the tall, but true, story.
Enthusiast and local councillor Steve Coen hopes the genuine Canadian Indian totem pole can be restored and re-erected as a lasting symbol of the docklands' commercial past.
He has tracked down the pole, donated to shipping company Manchester Liners in the heyday of Salford Docks in the late 1960s to mark the area's trade links with the Canadian communities. For years it stood near the modern-day company's Furness House headquarters, but was removed in 2005.
Now the city council is considering a scheme to recover the pole, refurbish it if necessary, find a prominent new home for it at the Quays, and produce story boards to be erected nearby which tell the full story of its creation.
The totem pole was commissioned by Robert Stoker, chairman of Manchester Liners, and shipped to England in the summer of 1969. It was erected outside the company's new offices, close to the Manchester Ship Canal.
Stoker regarded the pole as a reminder of the historic trading links between Manchester and Canada, a trade in which Manchester Liners played an important part. The pole is made out of Columbian pine (most poles were of red cedar). The carving of totem poles is an important part of the culture of the Indian tribes who inhabit the coastal regions of British Columbia.
The pole was taken down due to its deterioration, but Cllr Coen is now keen to see it restored to its former glory - and given pride of place in the popular visitor destination.
Said Cllr Coen: "It's another extraordinary story of our city's unlikely links with North America. These are such amazing stories they deserve to be told and re-told. I hope we can bring the totem pole back to the Quays as a lasting symbol of the city's trading past. The docks were a great place, and these links with the ordinary people of Canada and North America remain an important part of our city even today."
Cllr George Wilson was working on the docks when the totem pole arrived at Salford docks in 1969. The former crane driver helped unload the unlikely cargo.
He added: "Working as a crane driver was the biggest mistake I ever made as on the cranes nothing got done unless you were there. Others could slope off and no-one would notice, but not me!
"I remember the day the pole arrived here. All these people came down to meet the ship. It was this brightly coloured thing, it was beautiful really. I hope we're going to see it on the Quays again before very long."
Said Salford City Council's lead member for planning, Cllr Derek Antrobus: "I hope we will soon see the pole erected in a prominent location at the Quays, to mark the area's trade links with the Americas, and Salford Docks' tradition as a busy commercial location in our city. We aim to continue to tell the story of the city's links with native Americans."
City bosses are already investigating how they can best commemorate the time when Sioux indians spent several months camped on the banks of the River Irwell in the late 1800s, as part of an extraordinary visit by a Wild West Show. One baby was born and one of their number died in Salford during the visit.
Visit www.salford.gov.uk/salfordsioux for the full Salford Sioux story.
Notes for editors
PHOTOCALL: Photographers and reporters are welcome to meet Cllr Cohen with Salford resident and native Canadian Cree Indian Paul Starr at Unit F4, Broadway Industrial Estate off King William Street, Ordsall, M50 3UQ, at 12 noon on Monday 8 January.
A group of school pupils from James Brindley Primary School in Walkden, studying native Americans and their links with Salford as part of their school work, will also be present.
Totem poles are powerful and distinctive cultural statements, the meanings of the different symbols represented on the poles being related to the myths and history of the particular tribe.
The totem pole is carved with animals and figures important in Kwakiutl culture. These include the eagle representing the noble and omnipotent ruler of the skies, the killer whale representing the master of the seas, and the raven representing the messenger. At the base is a chief holding coppers, symbolising wealth and power.
The erection of poles were the occasion for great communal feasts. The stylised figures of animals and birds represented on poles are part of often complex and profound myths and stories associated with the group, the family or the individual. They are rarely capable of simple explanation.
The carving of poles went into decline from the late 19th century as the indigenous traditions and rituals of the native tribes were attacked by missionaries and the government. A renaissance of wood-carving skills occurred in the second half of the 20th century as part of a wider reassertion of Indian culture.
The Kwakiutl Indians (www.kwakiutl.bc.ca), who inhabit part of Vancouver Island and land to the immediate north, are one of the groups who have been prominent in this revival of native wood-carving techniques. The Kwakiutl artist, Douglas Cranmer was central to the resurgence of interest in the culture of the totem pole.
- Date published
- Friday, 5 January 2007
- Reference number
- 07-1742
Press and media enquiries only:
- Name
- Ian Andrew
- Telephone
- 0161-793 3157
- ian.andrew@salford.gov.uk
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