Lobstick Tree

This installation, the creation of a Voyageur lobstick, was a major community collaborative project at The Works 2012 festival in honour of historic Métis resident Eleanor (Thomas) Garneau [1851 – 1912].

Madame Garneau was a long time founding member of the Métis community in the Old Fort Edmonton region in the Old Strathcona District. She and her husband Lawerence Garneau were very active in the development of the growth process of early Edmonton (see attached a more detailed biography).

As is the fur trade custom, many lobstick poles were create to honour someone in particular and then the pole was dated and the name of the individual was carved into the pole. 

This lobstick was made from a selected spruce tree that was been delimbed, debarked, and secured to the ground. The surface of the tree contains honour markings and is wrapped in ribbons. The installation will eventually be claimed by the trees and surrounding environment.

The artist writes:

“During the fur trade within Canadian history the voyageurs who worked the northern Rivers and original canoe routes created a beautiful custom of erecting large lobstick poles along fur trade routes. There was much pageantry and collaboration demonstrated by the voyageurs who made these poles. Gift giving and storytelling were a significant aspect of the creation of a lobstick pole. 

These poles served many purposes as they marked areas on trade, marked important water routes, rendezvous sites, cache sites, and many were created to honour someone, or a specific event in local history. The voyageur lobstick pole custom and traditions were greatly influenced by both First Nations uses of sacred poles and the celtic tradition of the maypole celebration from European cultures. 

The province of Alberta has a rich history of known lobstick poles. These poles were known to be along five northern rivers such as the Athabasca River, North Saskatchewan River, Peace River, Slave River, and Hay River. The community of Lobstick Village is a well documented site of lobstick poles during the fur trade.”