A totem pole that had been standing for more than 50 years at the Cowichan School District office is nearing its end of life and is slated for decommissioning.
The pole was initially commissioned in 1970, and the district says it has been showing signs of rotting which is why it was taken down.
Interim Superintendent Jeff Rowan says the pole was initially erected in conjunction with Cowichan Tribes, and after lengthy discussions both sides decided it was time to remove it.
“It was carved with cooperation from Cowichan Tribes, so we spoke with them and the instruction is we lay it down on the grass behind the parking lot and they will come to do a proper ceremony for it to be decommissioned,” Rowan says.
Rowan says once the ceremony is completed the district will remove the pole from the site and fully retire it.
