Salford Totem Pole
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Salford campus hosts first nation visitors





Posted by Editor on 25th June 2010 at 05:18 PM
Salford campus hosts first nation visitors
The University is putting up summer visitors with a difference next week, as three members of the Namgis tribe from Canada stay in halls while repairing a historic totem pole.

The first nation people, Bruce Alfred and Kevin and Edgar Cranmer, will be staying in Salford until 7 July while they refurbish a totem pole that was given as a gift by a shipping company in 1959 for the use of Salford Quays.

The overall project is being co-ordinated by Salford City Council and the Canadian High Commission and, apart from restoring the artwork, includes a packed itinerary such as watching the England vs. Germany game in Manchester on Sunday.

While in Salford the University has agreed to host the three men in its Horlock Court accommodation where they can relax after their busy days.

University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Martin Hall said: “The University is used to hosting people from all around the world, but this visit is exceptional. We’d like to welcome our visitors from Canada and I hope that they can help the people of Salford establish strong cultural links with their homeland.”

The totem pole was commissioned by Robert Stoker, chairman of Manchester Liners, and shipped to England in the summer of 1969. It was erected outside the company's new offices, close to the Manchester Ship Canal.

The pole suffered from exposure to the elements and was taken down in 2005. Restoring it requires specialist knowledge which the Namgis tribe has preserved in its community on Canada’s west coast.

Councillor Steve Coen is co-ordinating the visit. He said: “I’d like to thank the University for hosting the Namgis. This is an extremely important cultural exchange for the people of the city and it’s important that the University is part of this.”

Source: Salford University.




Report as offensive or innapropriate Comment by Guest  18th July 2010
Thanks TomSO for the totem pole info. So, it looks like it's going to be across the Big Ditch for a year at least. I suppose it's in good company there being close to the Salford Reds exhibition. The Other Tony F.

Report as offensive or innapropriate Comment by TomSO ( member )  16th July 2010
PS there'll be a vid loaded tonight to show this.

Report as offensive or innapropriate Comment by TomSO ( member )  16th July 2010
I was informed that the chaps were finishing off the work in the MoM because it was quiet and had enough space to work. The plan at the moment I believe is to keep it in there for people to see until a place can be found for it to be installed on Salford Quays next summer.

Report as offensive or innapropriate Comment by Guest  16th July 2010
I saw OUR Salford Totem Pole in the new Museum Of Museums by the Trafford Centre yesterday. Why is it in there and when are we getting it back? The Other Tony F.

Report as offensive or innapropriate Comment by Guest  25th June 2010
Is that picture one of them?

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