tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post4965406708533488643..comments2024-03-28T13:00:19.040+00:00Comments on Positive Letters ... inspirational stories ...: T is for Thuja Plicata and Totems ... Hilary Melton-Butcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-44551645473518521292018-05-18T15:37:03.327+01:002018-05-18T15:37:03.327+01:00Hi Jess ... it's a very small town - but the i...Hi Jess ... it's a very small town - but the information boards make the totems understandable to us ... we can check them out and get some idea of their way of life ... and yes that spiritual connection with trees is exceedingly relevant to us all ... cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-62059153191069994182018-05-18T15:18:40.458+01:002018-05-18T15:18:40.458+01:00How fascinating. Sounds like a fabulous place to v...How fascinating. Sounds like a fabulous place to visit. I agree that we have a spiritual connection with trees. :) <br />~JessDMShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04202502753961748992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-52433955919803685482018-05-06T19:28:19.416+01:002018-05-06T19:28:19.416+01:00@ Marcy - that's great you're hoping to vi...@ Marcy - that's great you're hoping to visit ... <br /><br />@ David - I can imagine ... after all wildlife is wildlife. I was fascinated to be able to read the boards, and find out more later on via a totem booklet I'd bought - made more sense to get a bit more of background.<br /><br />I'll be writing up a some more on the First Nations and on the totems to give a bit more rudimentary understanding of their culture and traditions carried down through the centuries - something I need to know about, or at least have a glimpse about ... <br /><br />@ Cecelia - the totems in Duncan are extraordinary ...<br /><br />@ Juliet - I gather Thuja has healing properties ... and fascinating that the term is similar 'down under' - Linnaeus did us a favour with his binomial nomenclature ... <br />Glad that power storm didn't affect you too much ... they can do so much damage ... <br /><br />@ Pam - I'm looking forward to writing up my posts on your suggestion of the meaning and spirituality behind the totems ... <br /><br />@ Rhonda - I'm sure you've seen the older ones ... I hope to get to see those too ... <br /><br />Thanks to you all - so glad you've enjoyed the brief note on totems ... more anon - cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-27387926072704726302018-05-01T11:34:48.778+01:002018-05-01T11:34:48.778+01:00The poles of the First Nations people are very ela...The poles of the First Nations people are very elaborate. I have seen a collection of them in Vancouver. Rhonda Albomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17455873487349816911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-30167264831802383542018-04-28T23:20:01.703+01:002018-04-28T23:20:01.703+01:00I've always been fascinated by the meaning and...I've always been fascinated by the meaning and spirituality behind the carving of totem poles so really enjoyed this post. Great photos.PJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02470130153229393246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-17222606968413492272018-04-27T11:04:54.256+01:002018-04-27T11:04:54.256+01:00I think your photos are just fine! Interesting to...I think your photos are just fine! Interesting to find another aspect of earlier residents' lives. And still going on - totem carving.Lynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13984802196897920610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-43209579058722565562018-04-25T02:03:03.099+01:002018-04-25T02:03:03.099+01:00I enjoy seeing the big cedar tree and discovering ...I enjoy seeing the big cedar tree and discovering its name 'thuja', because that is the name of a homeopathic remedy that's great for the flu. No doubt it comes from this tree. I always learn something new here.<br />Nice to be catching up after time travelling and then having no power after a storm here in Auckland.Juliethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01542985048406828693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-26637732885715198392018-04-24T21:35:33.187+01:002018-04-24T21:35:33.187+01:00These totems look impressive. Thank you for sharin...These totems look impressive. Thank you for sharing this information.quietspirithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06086016141181470311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-63629738534581291982018-04-24T12:19:53.171+01:002018-04-24T12:19:53.171+01:00During my recent visit to Duncan we didn’t stay lo...During my recent visit to Duncan we didn’t stay long because everyone wanted to move on, but on a previous visit my wife and I spend a good deal of time admiring the totems and absorbing the significance of them. The interpretive boards are well done and enable someone from outside the First Nations culture to have at least a rudimentary understanding of the role these sacred objects played in the lives of the people who erected them.David M. Gascoigne,https://www.blogger.com/profile/17229638811027153569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-1571159862788320462018-04-24T05:33:18.754+01:002018-04-24T05:33:18.754+01:00Very nice photos! Another item for my to visit an...Very nice photos! Another item for my to visit and to see list.<br />Marcyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00336729074703850201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-75235050244107172642018-04-24T02:46:09.452+01:002018-04-24T02:46:09.452+01:00Emily - they are spread around Duncan ... so a few...Emily - they are spread around Duncan ... so a few in one part and then others and then individual ones - so no, not a graveyard or a museum. Yes that phrase seems to have rung true ... I'm not sure where I got it from ... or adapted it slightly ... <br /><br />@ Susan - so pleased you enjoyed this post. There's a lot of history here - which you'll hear more about. That totem on the beach at Keurbooms ... must have been brilliant to see ... out of place and not lasting long, albeit built of stone - there has to be a maxim for that ... <br /><br />@ Lee - yes I'd like to get to Alaska ... but can't see that happening - however I can see the ones here ... I'm sure you felt very small - these weren't that tall ... but they were 'solid' and imposing ... <br /><br />@ Liz - that's good ... the totems, the nature around here is lovely to see ... <br /><br />@ Diane - ok more will be forthcoming on totems ...<br /><br />@ Diedre - I'm not at all sure where that phrase came from ... but I'm happy everyone is taking it on board ... yes I was extremely happy to find out that they were a record of their lives, rather than the oral tradition that we have ... <br /><br />@ Steve - yes you've given me something else to think about ... and I did check it out briefly ... <br /><br />@ Kelly - so glad you enjoyed the photos and info ... <br /><br />@ Teresa - I think I now love totems ... now I understand them better. How interesting to know your father carved a totem, that he then sold ... I hope you have a record and a photo ... <br /><br />@ Deborah - thanks ... trees and totems did seem to match for 'T' - and thank you re the peeks into life here ... <br /><br />@ Sandra - thanks ... I do like to connect the dots - though suspect the idea came from the First Nations details ... <br /><br />@ Jo-Anne - that's wonderful ... thank you so much - I'll be posting more, so you can have another look then ... <br /><br />@ Jz - there's a lot here with information boards - which help, but I have a booklet ... and will take the tour sometime soon ... <br /><br />@ Debby - yes they really are our forebears having been here since soon after the Ice Age ... <br /><br />@ Lynda - they are an interesting art genre, and cultural genre - since it's a record of life ... tradition and spiritual ... <br /><br />Thanks so much for visiting and I'm so glad the totems were a hit - I now look forward to writing more - cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-27322909933920628742018-04-24T02:36:15.255+01:002018-04-24T02:36:15.255+01:00I have always liked the look of totem poles. Such ...I have always liked the look of totem poles. Such an interesting art genre because of its traditions and spiritual connections. Lynda Dietzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15442214431341019380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-69300980478345237412018-04-24T01:17:55.110+01:002018-04-24T01:17:55.110+01:00Such rich history from our Native forebearers. Tha...Such rich history from our Native forebearers. Thanks for this Hilary. :) xD.G. Kayehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04292901895982357952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-28950614191201827602018-04-24T00:26:00.354+01:002018-04-24T00:26:00.354+01:00I only got to see a couple of totem poles when I w...I only got to see a couple of totem poles when I was in the Pacific Northwest... I am rather envious of your city of 40-some.<br />I hope we get to see the pictures when you do your big tour!Jzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00301793291285112859noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-20964402687840777442018-04-23T23:09:43.809+01:002018-04-23T23:09:43.809+01:00Wow, wow, wow, I found this post awesome and would...Wow, wow, wow, I found this post awesome and would love to see them in person but doubt it will happenJo-Anne's Ramblingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11418152399382818709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-5958688548548095302018-04-23T22:47:10.289+01:002018-04-23T22:47:10.289+01:00Wonderful post. I love the totems and the way you ...Wonderful post. I love the totems and the way you drew the connection between us and nature.Sandra Coxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03814573408898140885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-51385405948477948372018-04-23T22:45:20.612+01:002018-04-23T22:45:20.612+01:00This comment has been removed by the author.Sandra Coxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03814573408898140885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-8498875744001294992018-04-23T21:28:52.782+01:002018-04-23T21:28:52.782+01:00What a lovely Ts to celebrate today Hilary - trees...What a lovely Ts to celebrate today Hilary - trees and totem poles both fill my heart with great appreciation. I love the peeks you've given us, and look forward to more.Deborah Weberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05971869506007671786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-77161726737594002762018-04-23T21:04:30.923+01:002018-04-23T21:04:30.923+01:00Love the totem poles. There is art as well as stor...Love the totem poles. There is art as well as story in their creation. My dad woodcarved a totem once. Someone purchased it when he was selling. <br /><br />Teresa T. Powell Coltrinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02160774009926623671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-53141462895590662982018-04-23T21:00:13.218+01:002018-04-23T21:00:13.218+01:00The photos are great and the post is informative, ...The photos are great and the post is informative, thank you Hilary! Kelly Steelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09030019966183220952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-6266496652768391162018-04-23T20:43:58.401+01:002018-04-23T20:43:58.401+01:00I like to smudge with the cedar bark and purify my...I like to smudge with the cedar bark and purify my soul. Out on the prairiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09548162534362532705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-64670046843371889402018-04-23T19:46:27.010+01:002018-04-23T19:46:27.010+01:00Hi Hilary!
"We are all aspects of a greater ...Hi Hilary!<br /><br />"We are all aspects of a greater whole" I love that! I've always found Totems intriguing but hadn't thought of them as permanent records. So true.diedre Knighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12772557495518846226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-56685013214278060372018-04-23T19:14:14.725+01:002018-04-23T19:14:14.725+01:00Interesting, I will be looking forward to more on...Interesting, I will be looking forward to more on the totem poles. Have a good week DianeRhodesiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00159888599601532530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-13570010076553144452018-04-23T17:53:03.905+01:002018-04-23T17:53:03.905+01:00OK, so now Duncan is on the itinerary of my future...OK, so now Duncan is on the itinerary of my future Canada trip. Whenever that might be.Liz A.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16531953467834426316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-81224868497803001752018-04-23T17:37:34.405+01:002018-04-23T17:37:34.405+01:00Totems are so impressive. I remember the museum in...Totems are so impressive. I remember the museum in Alaska that has a room filled with them. I felt like a much shorter person than usual walking among them. I think you photos are great, Hilary. You caught their essence.<br /><br />Here's to U!<br /><br />cleemckenziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15456109243453726483noreply@blogger.com