Vancouver Island visitors come to the "City of Totems"

Duncan is located in Canada on the South East Coast of Vancouver Island halfway between Victoria and Nanaimo, in the heart of the Cowichan Valley.

It is well known for the its totem poles found all over the city but many of which are in the four square city blocks of the downtown core.


Maori carving by Tupari Te Whata and © City of Duncan


Totem carving by Francis Horn and © City of Duncan

Created by First Nations carvers of the Northwest Coast these totem poles symbolize a revival of this ancient art form. The people indigenous to this area, the Coast Salish, have a long tradition of carving and their contributions are among other totem poles, some of which were created by artists as far away as New Zealand.

Take the guided or self-guided tour of totem poles carved by Pacific Northwest Coast First Nations carvers.. Footprints are painted yellow on the downtown sidewalk and start in front of the "train station", or connect with Duncan's Totem Tour Guide from Monday through Friday 10-2pm (May-September) from the "train station". Hear about stories carvers had in mind when they created these commissioned artworks.