Recently released in 2010, The Totem Pole was written collaboratively by Aldona Jonaitis and Aaron Glass. Through their research, they provide an insightful and absorbing account of the totem pole from ancient to contemporary icon.

As one of the most widely recognized symbols of the First Nations communities on the westcoast, the totem pole has become immensely important to their cultural and artistic revival.

"This book reconstructs the intercultural history of the art in its myriad manifestations from the 18th century to the present. The authors analyze the totem pole's continual transformation since Europeans first arrived on the scene, investigate its various functions in different contexts, and address the significant influence of colonialism on the proliferation and distribution of carved poles.  

In addition, the development of the First Nations art form is traced from the Northwest Coast to the world's fairs and global theme parks including its transformation into a signifier of place.  They write further on the role of governments, museums and anthropologists in collecting and restoring poles and the part that these carvings have continuously played in First Nations struggles to relaim control of their cultures and their land.

Throughout, there are sidebars by scholars and artists inlcuding Robert Davidson, Bill Holm, Richard Hunt, Susan Point, and Lyle Wilson amongst others which add lively discussions to specific carvings and their contexts."

The Totem Pole is available through Coastal Peoples Gallery online or visit the gallery in person in Yaletown or Gastown, Vancouver.

Opening June 24 through October 3, 2010 The Reach Gallery in Abbotsford, British Columbia is exhibiting Challenging Traditions, which was originally curated by the McMichael Canadian Art Gallery in Kleinburg, Ontario.

Coastal Peoples loaned one of the masks featured in this exhibition - Dzunuk'wa Transformation Mask by legendary Kwakwaka'wakw artist Beau Dick.

Other participating artists include Robert Davidson, Alano Edzerza, Philip Gray, Chuck Ya' Ya Heit, Philip Janze, Corey Moraes, Chester Patrick, Tim Paul, Susan Point, Steve Smith, Joe Wilson, Lyle Wilson, and Don Yeomans.

You may discover more about these artists and view many of their works online through the Coastal Peoples Gallery web site (companion book is available for online purchase), or visit The Reach Gallery exhibition in person or online at www.thereach.ca.