To date, conservation measures at Skung Gwaii have focused on stabilizing the surviving poles. The poles make ideal hosts for tree seedlings as well as salal berry bushes and other vegetation. Much of the damage incurred by the surviving poles was caused by this vegetation.
The objective of the conservation program was to keep the poles standing as long as possible; once down they quickly deteriorate. A guiding principle was that there was to be no intrusive measures taken to prolong the life of the poles. No chemical preservatives were used. Instead, through a program of careful study, the environment itself was enlisted as a primary and self-sustaining agent for effective conservation. Damaging trees were removed from the immediate vicinity, yet a sufficient number were left surrounding the site to provide an adequate wind break. The area was ditched to drain wet areas. Ultraviolet rays from increased sunlight destroyed many of the mosses and lichens which grew on the poles, and the bleached exteriors became a hostile environment for further deterioration. Soil and organic material from around the bases were removed and replaced with inert beach gravel. Perhaps the m Read More
The objective of the conservation program was to keep the poles standing as long as possible; once down they quickly deteriorate. A guiding principle was that there was to be no intrusive measures taken to prolong the life of the poles. No chemical preservatives were used. Instead, through a program of careful study, the environment itself was enlisted as a primary and self-sustaining agent for effective conservation. Damaging trees were removed from the immediate vicinity, yet a sufficient number were left surrounding the site to provide an adequate wind break. The area was ditched to drain wet areas. Ultraviolet rays from increased sunlight destroyed many of the mosses and lichens which grew on the poles, and the bleached exteriors became a hostile environment for further deterioration. Soil and organic material from around the bases were removed and replaced with inert beach gravel. Perhaps the m Read More
To date, conservation measures at Skung Gwaii have focused on stabilizing the surviving poles. The poles make ideal hosts for tree seedlings as well as salal berry bushes and other vegetation. Much of the damage incurred by the surviving poles was caused by this vegetation.
The objective of the conservation program was to keep the poles standing as long as possible; once down they quickly deteriorate. A guiding principle was that there was to be no intrusive measures taken to prolong the life of the poles. No chemical preservatives were used. Instead, through a program of careful study, the environment itself was enlisted as a primary and self-sustaining agent for effective conservation. Damaging trees were removed from the immediate vicinity, yet a sufficient number were left surrounding the site to provide an adequate wind break. The area was ditched to drain wet areas. Ultraviolet rays from increased sunlight destroyed many of the mosses and lichens which grew on the poles, and the bleached exteriors became a hostile environment for further deterioration. Soil and organic material from around the bases were removed and replaced with inert beach gravel. Perhaps the most intrusive element was the supporting of a leaning memorial pole by means of a bridge rail.
The objective of the conservation program was to keep the poles standing as long as possible; once down they quickly deteriorate. A guiding principle was that there was to be no intrusive measures taken to prolong the life of the poles. No chemical preservatives were used. Instead, through a program of careful study, the environment itself was enlisted as a primary and self-sustaining agent for effective conservation. Damaging trees were removed from the immediate vicinity, yet a sufficient number were left surrounding the site to provide an adequate wind break. The area was ditched to drain wet areas. Ultraviolet rays from increased sunlight destroyed many of the mosses and lichens which grew on the poles, and the bleached exteriors became a hostile environment for further deterioration. Soil and organic material from around the bases were removed and replaced with inert beach gravel. Perhaps the most intrusive element was the supporting of a leaning memorial pole by means of a bridge rail.
© 1998, CHIN. All Rights Reserved.
Skung Gwaii, poles being restored, three poles.
Photo: Barbara Wilson, Gwaii Haanas
© Barbara Wilson, Gwaii Haanas
Skung Gwaii, poles being restored
Photo: Barbara Wilson, Gwaii Haanas
© Barbara Wilson, Gwaii Haanas
In May of 1994, Captain Gold, a long-time Haida Gwaii Watchman at Skung Gwaii, proposed the undertaking of the pole straightening at Skung Gwaii. Leaning poles were threatening to fall and were subject to accelerated decay. In order to straighten the poles it was necessary to remove the surrounding soil and rock at the base of the poles. To avoid the loss of valuable historic data Archaeologists and Millennia Research were contacted to provide the team with archaeologists.
In May of 1994, Captain Gold, a long-time Haida Gwaii Watchman at Skung Gwaii, proposed the undertaking of the pole straightening at Skung Gwaii. Leaning poles were threatening to fall and were subject to accelerated decay. In order to straighten the poles it was necessary to remove the surrounding soil and rock at the base of the poles. To avoid the loss of valuable historic data Archaeologists and Millennia Research were contacted to provide the team with archaeologists.
© 1998, CHIN. All Rights Reserved.
Tommy and Ernie beside pole being stabilized.
Photo: Barbara Wilson, Gwaii Haanas
© Barbara Wilson, Gwaii Haanas
Skung Gwaii, poles being straightened.
Photo: Tommy Greene, Jr
© Tommy Greene, Jr
Skung Gwaii, pole being stabilized.
Photo: Tommy Greene, Jr
© Tommy Greene, Jr
Learning Objectives
The learner will:- Describe the environmental threats to the Skung Gwaii poles
- Describe some careers in heritage and their associated duties, using conservation of the Haida Skung Gwaii poles as an example
