Memorial Pole for Mom

Greetings my friends, With no real budget and nothing but determination, I’m going to carve a Haida Totem Pole for my Mom. Here’s why my friends... Sitting here having coffee one morning (not long ago) I googled my Mom’s name, Alice Campbell. The only thing that popped up was her obituary. She was born November 8/1945 and passed on August 11/2014. Other than that, the world would never know that this woman ever existed, or of the amazing life she lived. I take it upon myself to tell her story and share it with the world by Carving her a beautiful Haida Memorial Pole. She was born to wonderful parents Godfrey and Victoria Kelly of Old Masset, BC. She had a happy childhood. Until she contracted polio at 8 years old and was sent to the Miller Bay hospital near Prince Rupert until she was 13. When she returned to the village many didn’t recognize her for she walked with a cane, one leg slightly shorter than the other (and later an artificial hip). She met my Dad, Butch Campbell several years later and the two fell in Love. Around this time, she was told by doctors she could never have children but against all odds, she had four. She really couldn’t work a normal job so she took up knitting and crotchet. Mom was home raising us for the most part (she was a great Mom). She donated much of her work to raise money for the Cancer Society as she had lost her Dad to Stomach Cancer (and others in her family to Cancer). She had many grandkids and adopted (not officially) with open arms many young people who became like my brothers and sisters. She gave away a lot of food and would never turn away anyone in need. She had the most amazing heart and was a genuinely kind soul. Throughout her life I would visit her at her home here in Prince Rupert, BC (as I lived away from home for many years). She would often stare out the window while knitting. I would ask “What are you looking at Mom?”. She would say “Oh I’m just imagining what my pole will look like there one day”. So you see this Pole is actually her idea and was her dream. So as any good son would do, I’m fulfilling her lifelong wish to have a beautiful Haida Pole. You see, my Mom was the glue that bonded our family (and friends). She was very proud to be Haida. They took us home on many occasions when we were kids. In fact our strong connection to our family in Old Masset was due to her desire for us to know our Haida side. Ironically and sadly, she later developed Breast Cancer. She fought it for several years but in the end it took her Life. On the day before she died, she told me she was happy. For she had 4 wonderful children and many beautiful grandchildren. She told me that she had lived a good life. This Haida Memorial Pole is to honour the life of a beautiful Haida Woman. Not just because she was my Mother but rather, some things just have to happen. I believe people in the world should know about her and her life. Perhaps to be inspired, maybe even a little kinder and accepting of one another. She was one who had faced so many challenges in life, yet displayed such graceful love, dignity and generosity. Please help me make this Pole happen. I have 3 carvers helping me to achieve this goal. All the funds raised will go to help pay these 3 gentlemen. Without the money in place, they agreed to help me and are by my side carving each day now on the Pole. The Carvers are Jason Watts (Haida/Nisga’a), Johnathan Watts (Haida/Nisga’a) and Larry Thompson (Haida). Up to now I’ve been paying they’re wages out of pocket. But I really can’t do this without you as I’ve been hit pretty hard by this economic shut down due to the Corona Virus. I haven’t really sold any art since the beginning of March. It’s hard for me to ask for help and some even criticize me for it. It’s hard to ask for money when I know others are also living with financial challenge at this time. I assure you that every dollar raised will go directly into making this Pole happen. I will not stop until it is done in a manner befitting of my Haida Ancestors. To fulfill my Moms lifelong vision and my overwhelming desire to commemorate her Life. I want to say from the bottom of my heart “Haaw’a” (thank you in Haida). For your kindness and support of my dream. On one last note: The other day, I was having coffee with my wife Kim in the morning. I was panicking about the money part of this. She said to me “have faith, It’ll be there”. I believe that. All the funds go to my helpers (since the beginning of the Covid19 virus, none have been able to sell a carving). Thank you again for any help you can provide, gratefully your friend , Lyle Campbell