Celebrating the Welcome Pole on Nex̱wlélex̱wem (Bowen Island)
A welcome pole is carved and raised at the community school on Nex̱wlélex̱wem/Bowen Island with the help of students, staff and community members. Master carver Simon James (Winadzi) leads the carving and Squamish Nation member Xwalacktun conducts the ceremony.
![First Nations knife carving](https://oursalishsea.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/1026-gallery1-simon-close-up-knife-1024x575-1.jpeg)
![](https://oursalishsea.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/1026-gallery2-Simon-pole-and-kids-1024x577-1.jpeg)
![](https://oursalishsea.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/1026-gallery3-Simon-carving2-1024x575-1.jpeg)
![](https://oursalishsea.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/1026-gallery4-brushing-the-pole-1024x578-1.jpeg)
![](https://oursalishsea.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/1026-gallery5-far-view-pole-1024x576-1.jpeg)