On 12 May 2008, an earthquake devastated the province of Sichuan, China. Homes were destroyed, and items of cultural and familial significance were left unrecoverable, buried in rubble.
Two years later, Edward John, Grand Chief of the Tl’azt’en Nation, gifted a totem pole as a symbol of solidarity between the Tl’azt’en and the Qiang people.
On Tuesday, December 1, 2025, the Chinese Embassy hosted a reception at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier for the premier of the documentary film Indigenous Drums to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the totem pole donation.
In addresses by Chinese Ambassador Wang Di, Grand Chief Edward John, Senator Yuen Pau Woo, and former governor general of Canada Michaëlle Jean, there was an outpouring of respect and thanks between the Chinese and Indigenous communities of Canada.
In a show of thanks and to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the totem pole donation, the Chinese embassy announced they will be donating sports and educational supplies to the school of the Tl’azt’en Nation.
ABOVE: Chinese Ambassador to Canada, the Honourable Wang Di.
After speeches and handshakes, the first part of “Indigenous Drums” was screened for the attendees. The film followed the aftermath of the earthquake in Sichuan province and showed the journey the totem pole took to arrive in Beichuan county, where it was delivered to the Qiang people.
The film portrays the totem pole accompanying then Governor General of Canada, Michaëlle Jean, as she flew to China in 2010. Upon arrival, the totem pole was taken to the Sichuan Museum, where a ceremony honouring it was held on July 4, 2010.
Grand Chief John is featured prominently, presenting the totem pole to the Qiang community and sharing the culture and traditions of the Tl’azt’en Nation.
Grand Chief John explained that the idea behind donating the totem pole and the desire to help the Qiang people came from seeing a drum similar to those made by Canada’s Indigenous communities amongst the destruction left by the Sichuan earthquake.
After seeing the drum, he began to see a kinship between the Qiang people and the Tl’azt’en Nation in British Columbia.
Pan Xuesong, the Director of Culture and Press Section at the Chinese Embassy, pointed out the patterns on the clothing of the Qiang people and how they resembled clothing and patterns worn by Grand Chief John and the delegation from the Tl’azt’en Nation.
This sentiment was shared by many attendees, earning cheers and applause whenever a speaker expressed kinship and solidarity at the beginning and end of the event.
The friendship on display between Grand Chief John and Ambassador Di showed a strength and mutual understanding that is indicative of how the bond between the Qiang people and Tl’azt’en Nation has remained strong for the last 15 years.
HEADER IMAGE: British Columbia Regional Chief Terry Teegee watches as a member of the Tl’azt’en Nation performs an honour song. Grand Chief Edward John is pictured far right.
Photos: Murray Oliver
