Totem poles in the cemetery of the First Nations Kwakwaka'wakw people in Alert Bay, British Columbia, Canada, North America

totem poles kwakwaka'wakw alert bay british columbia first nations cemetery indigenous culture spiritual significance pacific northwest cultural heritage wood carvings indigenous traditions historical sites tribal art community history ancestral symbols storytelling colorful totem craftsmanship sacred sites nature tourism canadian history art history cultural identity traditional beliefs native heritage memorials wildlife pacific coast indigenous peoples historical landmarks societal values artisan skills local culture folklore myths ceremonies preservation heritage sites community ties totemic figures traditional practices vibrant colors cultural preservation indigenous storytelling community memorials landscapes regional history native communities