July 19 – Totems of Bella Coola

Today the forecast called for rain and thunderstorms in the afternoon so we went into town to check out the various First Nations carvings and totems. It turns out we only got a few sprinkles but we could see it raining up in the mountains around the RV park.

First I wandered just across the highway from the RV park for these shots.

Back at the tiny RVs beneath the mountain.

Then mountain across the highway.

The top of the mountain has had some gravel avalanches.

Then a long ribbon waterfall.

Just down the highway is 114 year old Augsburg United Church, that is still in use.

The Nuxalk First Nation are the original inhabitants of this area, before a group of Norwegians settled here because it looked like home.

Our first stop was the First Nation school.

This was over the front entrance way.

And a reminder of that sad and stupid period of Canadian history where their kids were taken away to the terrible residential schools.

There were a couple of poles out front.

Then into Bella Coola.

I am not sure if this building was still in use.

Down by the river was a carving in tribute to the eulachon (a small smelt like fish), the grease from which was an important part of the trading economy.

Every year it gets a new set of clothes.

Another building called “New Beginnings” had this pole.

Jennie spent some time browsing through the local department store.

Afterwards we went across the street to have lunch at the Bella Coola Valley Inn. The menu had a bit of everything. I had a halibut burger and Jennie had a Korean seafood hot pot. Both were very good. There were all the regular burgers but also sushi, ramen and even quesadillas.

Up the street the Co-op had some murals on the side.

As you can tell, I like the closeups.

And across street was another tribute to healing from the residential schools.

The mother at the base.

One of the four children above her.

Above them is the father without a mouth, “representing the turmoil of a life without a voice”.

The sun surrounded by two ravens.

Above then is a half man, half raven, “representing a people reclaiming their culture”.

The four carpenter’s faces are at the very top.

Then we headed home.