On October 13, 2015, Royal Roads University unveiled a new totem pole to welcome visitors to their beautiful campus in Colwood, BC. 

The totem was created by local Coast Salish carver Tom LaFortune, who scoured the Royal Roads property for the ideal fallen cedar for the piece.

At the bottom of the pole is a frog, which is traditionally a spirit guide and protector. Above that is a welcome figure, hands outstretched welcoming visitors to the land. Then comes a perched owl, representing knowledge and wisdom, like that which is shared and encouraged on the grounds of the school. Perched on top is an eagle to oversee the land and the people. Three rings separate the owl and the eagle, each ring representing 25 years of the school’s history.

The totem was commissioned by Chancellor and Chair of the Board of Governors Wayne Strandlund.

Watch artist Tom LaFortune at work in this video of the carving process produced by Bachelor of Arts in Professional Communication student Robyn Thomas.