The Friendship Pole was carved in 1987 by local carver Cicero August. It stands 3.8m (12’6″) in height and is placed in Charles Hoey Park, on Canada Avenue near the Station Street intersection and the former E&N Railway station.
Friendship Pole is included on our Walking Tour of Downtown Duncan Totem Poles.
The Friendship Pole depicts three figures: the Eagle (top figure). the Bear and the Salmon (lower figures).
Carver Cicero August describes the meaning of the Friendship Pole as:
“The Eagle is the protector; he watches over us from the sky. The Bear symbolizes strength of the tribe. The people live with the Salmon all year round. It nourishes the people. The Salmon is smoked and salted to put up for our sustenance.”
Carver Cicero August says, “The Eagle is the protector; he watches over us from the sky.”
Carver Cicero August says, “The Bear symbolizes the strength of the tribe.”
Cicero August says the significance of the Salmon figure is, “the people live with the Salmon all year round. It nourishes the people. The Salmon is smoked and salted to put up for our sustenance.”
In 1987, Cicero August carved a five foot pole of an Eagle as a gift to Duncan’s sister city, Kaikohe, New Zealand, where it is displayed in the City Council Chamber.
In 2002, Cicero August’s Eagle pole in Kaikohe was refurbished by Maori carver Tupari TeWhata, who also carved the PouPou Tane Hiira, Pou Karanga pole which stands on Kenneth Street between Canada Avenue and Craig Street.
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