Tótem canadiense de Chapultepec, Indigenous monument in Chapultepec Park, Mexico.
The Canadian totem pole of Chapultepec is a carved wooden monument made from cedar that stands about 11 meters tall and depicts traditional sea creatures like serpents and otters, crowned with a Thunderbird at the top. The piece demonstrates the carving techniques and artistic skill characteristic of Kwakwaka'wakw craftspeople.
The Canadian government presented this monument to Mexico in 1960 as a gift marking the 150th anniversary of Mexican independence. This gesture represented a symbolic moment of friendship between the two nations.
Indigenous artist Mungo Martin from the Kwakwaka'wakw nation carved this monument using traditional colors of black, red, green, white, and yellow. The painted symbols and figures hold deep meaning in the artistic traditions and beliefs of his people.
The totem pole stands in the First Section of Chapultepec Park and can be reached through the Quebradora gate entrance. The park is open to visitors Tuesday through Sunday during daylight hours.
The two-headed sea serpent Sisuitl carved on the totem represents the balance between opposing forces in the mythology of the people who created this artwork. This double-headed creature is one of the most intriguing details that visitors discover when looking closely at the piece.
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