Learn the story behind this pole and its connection to the UBC Thunderbird name.
Outside of Brock Hall stands the Victory Through Honour pole, a significant gift connected to the Thunderbird name.
On January 31, 1934, the University’s varsity sports teams became known as the UBC Thunderbirds. A high-ranking, mythical, powerful creature, the Thunderbird is indigenous to the West Coast and under whose protection comes brotherhood, peace, and goodwill.
Almost 15 years later in 1948, representatives of Kwicksutaineuk people of the B.C. West Coast officially granted permission to UBC to use the Thunderbird name and emblem.
At the homecoming football game at old Varsity Stadium, over 5,000 fans and students were witnesses to a ceremony in which well-known carver Ellen Neel – the first woman known to have professionally carved totem poles – and her husband Ted, along with Chief William Scow and his son Alfred, gifted the Alma Mater Society with a 16-foot high totem pole.
The pole, named Victory Through Honour is one of the early expressions of Indigenous presence on the Vancouver campus.
According to the 75th anniversary celebration event program, the pole tells the legend of Tsekume (Red-Cedar Man), who must endure ‘four tests’ to “demonstrate his commitment to the ideals of honour, respect, integrity, and excellence,” which then ensures “Victory Through Honour—for ourselves, our teams, our families and our communities.”
The pole is emblazened with Naanis, the great grizzly bear; Ma-akinuk, the powerful man-monster; Wa’kaas, the frog; Kuuma, the Bullhead, and at the top, the great and mighty Thunderbird.
Neel, who wanted the pole to also acknowledge and empower Indigenous people and to symbolize the commitment made to them by UBC, dedicated the pole in this way:
“To the Native people of the whole province, we can give our assurance that your children will be accepted at this school by the Staff and Student Council, eager to smooth their paths with kindness and understanding. We need now only students to take advantage of the opportunity, so that someday our doctors, lawyers, social workers and departmental workers will be fully trained University graduates of our own race.”
—Ellen Neel, The Native Voice, November 1948
Chief William Scow (left), his son, Alfred (a UBC law student), Ellen and Ted Neel.
It’s worth noting that in making the presentation, the delegation was technically breaking the law, which at the time forbade First Nations peoples from participating in potlatches (or gift-giving ceremonies) and other traditional practices, such as wearing ceremonial clothing. And by appearing as a group of three, they were violating the restrictions on the assembly of three or more Indigenous persons for political purposes that had been in place for more than 50 years.
Under tribal laws and customs, the dedication by Neel and Chief Scow gave the University and its varsity teams permission to use the Thunderbird name and symbol legally for the first time—unique honours for any institution or team.
Chief Scow, at the 1948 permission-granting ceremony, stated, “It is yours now, and if you follow the precepts accepted with it, you cannot fail.”
The pole, which was gifted to the Alma Mater Society, stood in front of Brock Hall until the 1970s. It was then moved to the north side of the Student Union Building until it was severely vandalized in 2000. But through persistence, passion, and partnership over three years, UBC was able to create an exact replica of the pole, this time carved by Calvin Hunt, assisted by John Livingston and Mervyn Child, from Alert Bay.
On October 18, 2004, at a rededication ceremony held with the blessing of the Musqueam people, the pole was returned to its rightful place outside of Brock Hall. Attending the ceremony was Alfred Scow, who was part of the original ceremony.
Learn more
- The Power of a Name: The Thunderbird and UBC (UBC, YouTube)
Sources
- First Nations House of Learning: UBC Aboriginal Centennial
- UBC Thunderbirds: Story of the Thunderbird
- Belkin Art Gallery: Outdoor Collections
- Belkin Art Gallery: Victory Through Honour, 75th Anniversary Celebration Event and Program
- Wikipedia: Ellen Neel
Kevin Ward, Research and Communications Officer, First Nations House of Learning, is a member of the Mikisew Cree First Nation.
Indigenous Outdoor Art Series: Find out where you can view Indigenous art on campus and the story behind each piece by checking out this interactive map.