The World’s Tallest Totem Pole

K’ikw Project, February 2025

Gila’kasla ‘Numwayut,

Hello Family and Friends,

My name is Johnathan Henderson, and my traditional name is Udzistalis. I carry this name from my father, whose mother was May Qwaucksistala of the Ligwiłdaxw Nation, and whose father was Sam Henderson of the Nakwaxda'xw Nation. My birth mother is Sharon Whonnock (Wa’nukw), and my stepmother is Lorraine Henderson. On my mother’s side, my grandmother was Lydia Whonnock (Wa’nukw), and her father was Gideon Whonnock (Wa’nukw).

I was born and raised in Alert Bay, the land of the ‘Nam’gis. On this website and in future letters, I want to share with you a journey that began as a dream, grew into an idea, and has now become a full project. Over the past year we have been in the initial phase of our feasibility study, continuing to move forward in the most humble and respectful way possible.

From the outset, I met with the Hereditary Chiefs to present the idea and seek their support. That initial meeting was a success, and while not all hereditary chiefs were present, I have since made efforts to meet with each of them. Their overwhelming support has encouraged us to move forward. Both the hereditary and elected leadership of ‘Nam’gis First Nation continue to stand behind this vision. From the beginning, the U’mista Cultural Centre has been a strong advocate, initially serving as the project’s governing body. In the past two years, the organization Indigenext has provided interim governance as we work towards establishing a new not-for-profit society–which will be called the Nakalkala Cultural Society.

This project has been made possible by the dedication of our team, whose efforts I deeply appreciate. We still have much work ahead, including raising funds for carving, meeting with all 17 tribes of the Kwakwaka’wakw Nation, securing logs for the totem in partnership Western Forest Products, and finalizing a land lease agreement with the ‘Nam’gis Nation to strengthen our funding campaign.

Our K’ikw Project now consists of three key components:

1. Replacing the current Tallest Totem Pole – honoring and continuing our traditions, with 10 feet for each nation. We expect the carving will take a minimum of 2.5 years.

2. Creating an Experience Centre – where visitors can engage with and understand every foot of the new Tall Pole.

3. Establishing an Interactive Cultural Centre – a space dedicated to the preservation and transfer of our traditions.

This cultural centre will provide a home for essential practices, including Button Blanket making, Cedar Bark Weaving, Traditional Medicine, Singing and Song Composition, Language Revitalization, and Carving. As we prepare for our Pa’sa (potlatch), we recognize the critical need for a dedicated space to ensure that knowledge is passed from one generation to the next. Our vision is to create a safe, nurturing environment where our traditions can thrive. The survival of our culture depends on this transfer of knowledge.

I invite you to join us on this journey to bring the K’ikw Project to life.

Gilakas’la,

Johnathan Henderson (Udzistalis)

johnathan@thetotem.org