Watch Totem: The Return of the G'psgolox Pole

Totem: The Return of the G'psgolox Pole is a documentary film that was released in 2003. The movie is directed by Gil Cardinal and written by Serge Marcil. The film is a beautiful depiction of the story of the Haida people, their totem poles, and their traditions. The movie begins with a beautiful shot of the Haida Gwaii, an archipelago located in British Columbia, Canada. The camera then takes us to a small fishing village where the story is set. The movie introduces us to the Haida people, their culture, and their traditions. The Haidas are known for their totem poles, which play a significant role in their culture.

The Haida people believe that their totem poles have important spiritual significance. They believe that each totem pole represents a different aspect of their culture and tradition. The movie showcases the history of the Haida people and their totem poles. We learn that the Haidas were known to create totem poles to commemorate their ancestors and as a way of passing their history and traditions down to future generations.

The story then takes us to the G'psgolox Pole, which is the centerpiece of the movie. The G'psgolox Pole is a totem pole that was taken away from the Haida people in the 1920s. The totem pole was taken to Sweden by a Swedish explorer, and it remained there for over eight decades.

The movie then introduces us to the Haida Repatriation Committee, who worked tirelessly to bring the G'psgolox Pole back to their village. The Haida people see the totem pole as a symbol of their culture and their identity, and they are determined to bring it back home.

The Repatriation Committee faced many challenges in their quest to bring the totem pole back to their village. They had to work with officials from several countries and navigate through legal and diplomatic hurdles. The movie shows how the Haida people remained resilient and never gave up on their mission.

The movie also explores the significance of the G'psgolox Pole to the Haida people. We learn that the totem pole represents the Haida people's connection to their land, their ancestors, and their history. The movie emphasizes how important it is for the Haida people to have the G'psgolox Pole back in their village.

The movie then takes us on a journey to Sweden, where we see the totem pole being prepared for its journey back home. The Haida people had hired a team of experts who could safely transport the totem pole back to Canada. The movie showcases the immense effort put into getting the totem pole back to its rightful owners.

The final scene of the movie takes us back to the Haida village, where we see the totem pole being welcomed back home with tears, songs, and dances. The Haida people are overjoyed to have the G'psgolox Pole back in their village, where it belongs.

Overall, Totem: The Return of the G'psgolox Pole is a beautiful documentary that showcases the history, traditions, and resilience of the Haida people. The movie is an excellent way of learning about the Haida culture and their spiritual connection to their totem poles. The movie highlights the importance of preserving cultural heritage and the importance of cultural identity. The documentary is a must-watch for anyone interested in the history and traditions of Canadian indigenous communities.

Totem: The Return of the G'psgolox Pole is a 2003 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 10 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8.