After more than two years since it was started, the totem pole carved by inmates at the Vancouver Island Regional Corrections Centre in Saanich now stands as a reminder to those on the outside that true rehabilitation is happening inside.

Elders, community leaders and local First Nations members converged near the facility91裸聊视频檚 entrance May 11 to dedicate the pole, as well as honour the roughly 160 inmates who 91裸聊视频� even if only briefly 91裸聊视频� helped shape the 340-year-old cedar log from the Jordan River area.

Max Henry, the jail91裸聊视频檚 Indigenous cultural liaison, said he has seen remarkable change in some of the inmates, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, as a result of participating in the project over the past two years.

91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 a small step towards bringing back our cultural teachings, the ways of our elders and peoples, as opposed to just putting inmates in a cell and letting them serve time. It gives them a purpose,91裸聊视频� he said.

Henry brought forward and led the project with help from Tsawout First Nation carver Tom LaFortune, his two brothers Aubrey and Perry LaFortune and late elder Max Henry Sr., to whom the totem pole was dedicated during Thursday91裸聊视频檚 ceremony.

Intricately etched into the totem pole are images of the eagle, the owl, the wolf, the frog, the beaver 91裸聊视频� all important symbols of strength, healing, community and family 91裸聊视频� and four paddles representing the Coast Salish, Nu-Chah-Nulth, Kwakwaka91裸聊视频檞akw peoples and non-First Nation peoples.

91裸聊视频淭his is a surreal moment for me,91裸聊视频� said former inmate Eddy Cliffe, who now works alongside LaFortune in his Greater Victoria workshop.

91裸聊视频淭his pole changed my life in many different ways 91裸聊视频� it made me a better friend, it made me a better father and made me a better human all together.91裸聊视频�

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