The Dzunuk’wa pole is one of a group of three poles (along with the Chief’s Pole and the Guardians) displayed at the intersection of Government Street and Kenneth Street.

The Dzunuk’wa pole was carved in 1989 by Oscar Matilpi and stands 4.6m (15’6″) in height.

Dzunuk'wa pole, Government Street at Kenneth Street, Duncan, B.C.
Dzunuk’wa pole, Government Street at Kenneth Street, Duncan, B.C.

Carver Oscar Matilpi explained Dzunuk’wa’s meaning as:

“Those who are fortunate enough to have Dzunuk’wa [Wild Woman] in their possession are watched over and protected. Black in colour, with bushy, unkempt hair, she is usually shown with a pursed mouth. In the absence of the owner, Dzunuk’wa acts as an official greeter to any caller, ensuring that no visitor will go away offended by not being properly welcomed. Should a visitor remove, harm or damage any property in the absence of the owner, Dzunuk’wa sees to it that the perpetrator is punished by various means. She may cause strong winds to blow from her pursed lips, which would result in their canoe sinking on their way home with their ill gotten goods……”

Dzunuk'wa pole, Wild Woman figure, face detail, Government Street at Kenneth Street, Duncan, B.C.
Dzunuk’wa pole, Wild Woman figure, face detail, Government Street at Kenneth Street, Duncan, B.C.

According to carver Oscar Matilpi,  Dzunuk’wa is typically depicted as:

“…….Black in colour, with bushy, unkempt hair…..[and] usually shown with a pursed mouth……Should a visitor remove, harm or damage any property in the absence of the owner, Dzunuk’wa sees to it that the perpetrator is punished by various means. She may cause strong winds to blow from her pursed lips, which would result in their canoe sinking on their way home with their ill gotten goods……”

Dzunuk'wa pole, Wild Woman figure, face detail, Government Street at Kenneth Street, Duncan, B.C.
Dzunuk’wa pole, Wild Woman figure, face detail, Government Street at Kenneth Street, Duncan, B.C.
Dzunuk'wa pole, Copper detail, Government Street at Kenneth Street, Duncan, B.C.
Dzunuk’wa pole, Copper Shield detail, Government Street at Kenneth Street, Duncan, B.C.

According to carver Oscar Matilpi’s son, Ned Matilpi, the Copper Shield displayed on Dzunuk’wa’s chest is “a visual and philosophical gesture that shows the person that lives there is powerful and actively holds pe’sa [potlatches].”

The potlatch is a family driven activity to give away most, if not all, of the family’s wealth and material goods in order to show goodwill to the rest of the tribe members and to maintain the family’s social status within the tribe.

There is another Dzunuk’wa figure on the Thunderbird and Dzunuk’wa pole, carved in 1990 by Oscar Matilpi’s son, Ned Matilpi, and displayed at Station Street and Craig Street.

Ned Matilpi explains his Dzunuk’wa fugure on the Thunderbird and Dzunuk’wa pole as “the fearsome legend of Dzunuk’wa, with her boney face and hanging breasts, is an object of terror and at the same time, wealth and power. Her arms are outstretched in a sign of mourning, or at times poised to grab a strayed child from outside a village. Dzunuk’wa is usually painted black and red, colours that represent the underworld….”

For comparison purposes, here is a photo of the Dzunuk’wa figure in the Thunderbird and Dzunuk’wa pole at Station Street and Craig Street, carved in 1990 by Oscar Matilpi’s son, Ned Matilpi.

Thunderbird and Dzunuk'wa totem pole, Dzunuk'wa figure, Station Street at Craig Street, Duncan, B.C.
Thunderbird and Dzunuk’wa totem pole, Dzunuk’wa figure, Station Street at Craig Street, Duncan, B.C. Carved by Ned Matilpi

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