The Harvest Time totem pole is displayed on Station Street at the intersection of Craig Street. Harvest Time was carved in 1986 by Tom Lafortune and stands 3.8m (12’5″) in height. It features two figures: the North Wind and the Killer Whale.

Harvest Time totem pole, Station Street and Craig Street, Duncan, B.C.
Harvest Time totem pole, Station Street and Craig Street, Duncan, B.C.

Carver Tom LaFortune has explained Harvest Time as his interpretation of a story told by carver Simon Charlie.

“The North Wind, when it really starts to howl, that’s when the Killer Whales would come in and feed in Cowichan Bay. When the North Wind got colder the whales would head out to migrate, because the salmon run was finished. The pole represents the harvesting time for the salmon. With the North Wind, you notice the Killer Whales. You go down to the mouth of the river and jig for salmon in the bay or wait for them to come up the river. That was the inspiration, a Harvest Time pole….”

 

Harvest Time totem pole, Station Street and Craig Street, Duncan, B.C.
Harvest Time totem pole, Station Street and Craig Street, Duncan, B.C.

 

Harvest Time totem pole, North Wind figure, Station Street and Craig Street, Duncan, B.C.
Harvest Time totem pole, Killer Whale figure – tail fin detail, Station Street and Craig Street, Duncan, B.C.
Harvest Time totem pole, Killer Whale figure, Station Street and Craig Street, Duncan, B.C.
Harvest Time totem pole, Killer Whale figure, Station Street and Craig Street, Duncan, B.C.
Harvest Time totem pole, Killer Whale figure, Station Street and Craig Street, Duncan, B.C.
Harvest Time totem pole, Killer Whale figure detail, Station Street and Craig Street, Duncan, B.C.

 

 

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