The 'Lansdowne Pole' is among the oldest in the collection, dating back to the 1880s.
The poles were not originally placed at Brockton Point; they were moved here over several decades starting in the 1920s to create a centralized cultural display.
The site includes a pole carved by Robert Yelton of the Squamish Nation, acknowledging the traditional territory of the local First Nations.
Many of the poles are 'replacement' carvings to protect the original wood from environmental decay, with the originals archived by the Museum of Vancouver.
The collection features both house frontal poles and mortuary poles, which serve different cultural functions.
The totem poles located at Brockton Point are a collection of historic and contemporary carvings representing First Nations art in Vancouver's Stanley Park. Established in the 1920s, the site features poles moved from various locations throughout British Columbia, including Alert Bay, Rivers Inlet, and Haida Gwaii. Several poles are original, while others are replacements commissioned from descendants of the original carvers to preserve the cultural integrity of the site. The collection reflects diverse artistic styles from the Coast Salish, Kwakwaka'wakw, and Haida nations. Interpretive plaques at the site explain the significance of the figures, which often depict familial lineages, crests, and ancestral histories. It remains one of the most visited tourist sites in British Columbia, situated on land traditionally used by the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh peoples. The area is maintained through ongoing collaboration between the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation and local First Nations communities.
From the grass-covered area directly in front of the poles looking toward the mountain backdrop.
Visit during the early morning to avoid large cruise ship tour crowds.
Read the provided plaques carefully to understand the specific origin and artist of each individual pole.
Combine this visit with a walk along the Stanley Park Seawall for a complete view of the surrounding landscape.
Do not treat the poles as mere photo props; be aware that these are cultural objects with spiritual and ancestral significance.
Maintain a respectful distance; do not touch or climb the carvings.
