Inmates at the Vancouver Island Regional Correctional Centre in Saanich are hoping to raise a 41-foot totem pole carved from a 340-year-old cedar log this fall.
Brothers Tom and Aubrey LaFortune of the area鈥檚 Tsawout First Nation are teaching participants how to design and carve a totem pole alongside the jail鈥檚 Indigenous cultural liaison, Max Henry. The project began last summer to provide inmates with a greater sense of community and connection with the land they鈥檙e on 鈥� whether Indigenous or not.
It鈥檚 helping inmates build practical skills in drawing and woodworking and learn cultural teachings that will prepare them for life on the outside. It鈥檚 the first project of its kind for a maximum-security institution and it鈥檚 putting the corrections back in correctional, according to Tom LaFortune.
鈥淥ne of the rules around the pole is that everyone鈥檚 on a first-name basis,鈥� he said, adding some corrections officers have also joined in the carving.
Etched into the totem are images of the eagle, the owl, the wolf, the frog, the beaver 鈥� all important symbols of strength, healing, community and family 鈥� and four paddles representing the Island鈥檚 Salish, Nu-Chah-Nulth, Kwakwaka鈥檞akw and non-First Nation peoples.
Dion Sam-Joseph, also from the Tsawout First Nation, joined the team of carvers about three months ago when he saw some fellow inmates carving the cedar log from his cell window. While he hasn鈥檛 been on the project too long, he鈥檚 been able to connect with his Indigenous identity, and more importantly, feel human.
鈥淓verything about this is a positive experience. This project鈥檚 been an eye opener to all the positives that can come out of (it) 鈥� whether it鈥檚 a short stay or a long stay in here 鈥� it just brings you back to your roots,鈥� he said.
鈥淭o say the least, it gets us out of that concrete jungle, or cell, for a couple of hours out in the sun. There鈥檚 sharing, there鈥檚 teaching, there鈥檚 learning and a lot of camaraderie.鈥�
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