The final touches have been made by Salish Carver Darren Joseph on the Klahoose Memorial Pole in Toba Inlet.

The months of hard work has produced a beautiful and awe-inspiring work of art. Visitors and workers at the Plutonic Power Run-of-River project all agree the importance of making this heartfelt gesture a success.

The Klahoose memorial Pole project was started by a handful of Klahoose members. This group of people saw a need to honour workers who had perished in a plane accident and a site mishap related to the hydroelectric project. Klahoose Chief and Council spearheaded the project in the fall of 2009 with the moral and financial support of Plutonic Power.

At press time, the metal brace to hold the pole in place is traveling up to the Toba Valley via barge. The cost for the 800 lbs. brace was donated by Ledcor Construction, Holdfast Metals and Herold Engineering. Ledcor Construction is currently building the new Klahoose Multipurpose Building in Squirrel Cove. Project Superintendant, Paul Halverson from Ledcor has been instrumental as a liaison for these efforts.

Crews at the site at Toba Inlet have been getting ready for the foundation to be poured. Corey Dennis from Peter Kiewit and Sons Construction has been assisting the project and is working on the foundation and site preparations. Kiewit Aboriginal liaison, Steven Galigos, is working with Klahoose to arrange for the families of the honoured workers to attend the pole raising ceremony. Kiewit has made financial contributions as well as equipment and man hours.

As the project nears completion, the Memorial Pole will remain in the Yakomen (Toba) Valley for generations to come. The pole will be a reminder of how we value our friends and relatives in the spirit of working together for the good of many.

(The date for the pole raising ceremony to be determined)