08/27/2025
Carver's nephew makes his uncle's decades-old totem poles new again
The four totems, which have graced Nootka Court since the 1970s, were in need of a refresh.
New eagle’s wings were made as part of one totem’s refurbishment.
Fifty years of wear on four totem poles in downtown Victoria has been taken away by repairs and fresh paint.
The totems, which have graced Nootka Court since the 1970s, were carved by Tony Hunt Sr. and were refurbished by his nephew, Jason Henry Hunt.
Jason, a member of the Kwagiulth Nation, has just completed the six-week job and is back home in Port Hardy. He said he will return for a couple of touch-ups in a few weeks, and will spend time in September at the Fairmont Empress Hotel as part of its artist-in-residence program.
Richard Hunt, another uncle, helped with the work and offered advice on the project, which was funded by Wottrich Holdings, Nootka Court’s owner.
One of the poles had a special requirement — the wings for its crowning eagle figure were gone and Jason had to make new ones.
He couldn’t find any pictures showing the wings, so he had to create new ones as close to the originals as he could determine.
Jason, who has done many restoration projects, said: “Most of the time that I’m doing these projects, it’s like they’re my carving heroes. These are all guys that are just giants in the northwest coast carving world.”
Those heroes include his great-grandfather Mungo Martin and grandfather Henry Hunt.
Passersby were curious about the poles while he was working on them, Jason said, and some thought he was actually creating new ones. He was quick to let them know they had been standing for decades, he said with a laugh.
Chris MacDonald of Eagle Feather Gallery in Nootka Court, said: “It’s wonderful. They’ll be here for another 50 years.” The totem poles “are part of the legacy of Nootka Court and of the Hunt family’s contribution to public art in Victoria,” he said.
Hartwig Industries, which manages Nootka Court, approached the gallery about having one of the carvers it represents take on the refurbishment of the totems.
Jason was the natural choice because of his family ties to Tony, MacDonald said.
Photos:
Chris MacDonald, of Eagle Feather Gallery in Nootka Court, with one of the restored totem poles. The totems were rejuvenated by Jason Henry Hunt, and were carved by his uncle decades earlier.
Jeff Bell
Aug 25, 2025 5:00 AM
Times Colonist
