As a bit of a side trip from our meditation retreat, we went to the Museum of Anthropology. It is within walking distance of the Asian Centre, and a very interesting place. I have been several times, but not recently. It sits on Point Grey, with a great view of the ocean. One of the things on the grounds is an old gun battery from World War 2. I remember coming up there as a kid and thinking it was quite a weird thing to find in Vancouver.
This is a housepost from Hope Island, BC. House posts are huge, as you can see from the next picture. I like this one because it had stuff growing out of the top of its head (not the one it is holding…).
This (below, since the code will NOT cooperate!!!) is from the Treasures of the Tsimshian exhibit. It is a war club, carved out of antler, depicting a bird (owl?) and a wolf.
Besides the Point Grey Battery, there are several totem poles and this life size willage on the grounds of the museum. The Haida House complex was built in the 1960’s, and represents a Haida village from the 19th century. Bill Reid was one of the amazing artists involved in the carvings, and his fabulous “Raven and the First Men” sculpture in inside the museum. It is worth a trip just to see that piece.
