UBC Reconciliation Pole vandalized ahead of its second anniversary

UBC’s 55-foot Reconciliation Pole was vandalized with stakes just before the monument’s second anniversary on April 1.

According to an open letter from signed by Dr. Margaret Mass and Dr. Sheryl Lighfoot, of the First Nations House of Learning, the incident On March 29 when campus employee notified the school’s security that the Reconciliation Pole was vandalized.

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Stakes that surround the base of the pole were removed from the ground and inserted into the back of the pole. One stake was pushed into an existing crack and the other was pushed into the mouth of a carved figure.

Campus Security removed the stakes from the pole and there is no visible physical damage.

The pole was erected in 2017 and stands as a symbol of the tragic experiences of Canada’s residential school students.

An estimated 150,000 children passed through the residential school system, with many suffering physical and sexual abuse, and more than 6,000 children dying while there.

UBC’s Reconciliation Pole marks the deaths of those children with thousands of copper nails hammered in by residential school survivors, affected families, and schoolchildren.

The pole tells the story of life before, during, and after the Indian residential school system.

“Despite there being no physical damage to the pole, this troubling act of vandalism nevertheless represents an affront to everyone on and off campus who embrace the pole’s symbolic importance and artist value,” reads the open letter.

“More specifically, this condemnable act profoundly disrespects everything the pole represents, from the voices of the survivors of the schools, the memories of the children who died in them, the hopes of Indigenous peoples, to the honour of all Canadians who are striving to shake free from the darkness of the past to embrace a brighter future together.”

Haida master carver and hereditary chief, James Hart (7idansuu), created the monument and was informed of the vandalism.

He released the following statement about the incident:

It has been two years since we raised the “Reconciliation Pole” at UBC with many Peoples helping. A Pole created out of RESPECT, empathy for our past, an understanding, a work of hope of working together in meaningful ways. Taking care of the Lands, taking care of the seas, taking care of the airs all in the effort of taking care of one’s self and theirs. The gift of LIFE, the chance we have with this gift. In all of this, respect, respect for other peoples, respect for freedom, freedom of speech, respect for Religions, respect for one’s self, respect for what one does, one’s actions. Respect for your family, your friends. Respect for all life and all things that share their space with us. We cannot lose our respect. Carry your ancestors in your heart… Endeavour to persevere.

Musqueam representatives — whose territory the UBC campus is located — held a private cleansing ceremony for the monument on Saturday.

-With files from Jenni Sheppard.