With each brushstroke, a piece of his family heritage is returning.

“It’s a labor of love,” said B.C. artist and wood carver, Lloyd Wadhams Jr. He is restoring Wascana Park’s iconic totem pole.

The art piece was made by his late father, Lloyd Wadhams Sr, a B.C. artist from Nimpkish Indian Band/’Namgis First Nation who passed away in 1992.

“I mean I really appreciate working on this. Once you start it, you know you look at it, you say, ‘Wow… there’s a lot of work here.’ I am just happy to prolong my family tradition of native art.”

 

The elements were taking a toll on the artwork, which is why it vanished from the park at the end of September. People also etched their own names on the art piece over the years.

“I had to take care of a lot of rot, replacing it, cutting out old cedar and putting in new cedar. I used nothing but cedar for the whole totem pole. Work, sleep, work, sleep, at least 12 to 14 hours a day,” said Wadhams Jr, who has been working on the totem pole for five straight weeks.

Wadhams Sr. is known for his beautiful art carvings in wood and jewelry. He designed the totem pole from top to bottom. The art piece was later presented to Saskatchewan in 1971. Wadhams Jr. was only a toddler at the time.

The totem pole is made of western cedar, standing 16 feet high, three-and-half feet in diameter and weighing 3,500 pounds. It was a gift by the B.C. government commemorating the centenary of the union of British Columbia joining dominion Canada. The totem pole is also one of 12 in the country.

“We didn’t have to carve different pieces to put on so the timing worked out though. We could still use all the original pieces and rebuild them,” said Steve Bata, building manager for the ministry of central services.

The restoration project came at a cost of about $20,000, according to Bata.

Adam Martin, executive director of Sakewewak Artist Collective in Regina, believes it’s significant to have more Indigenous art in city centres.

“For years and years, Indigenous art has been undermined and overlooked. Things are slowly getting better in Regina, thanks to established artists around here and those involved in Sakewewak in the past,” said Martin.

Back at the shop, Wadhams Jr. is excited to finish the final touches. He’s keeping his late father in mind but also happy to go back home.

“I have never been away this long and everyone is freaking out. They are all missing me back there — especially my kids,” said Wadhams Jr.

The totem pole will be returned by the end of November to its original spot, where it will continue to stand as a symbol for the first peoples of this country.