Inmates from the Guthrie House Therapeutic Community today raised a totem pole they built to chronicle their struggles with addiction and their journey of transformation to recovery.

The totem pole project was spearheaded by master carver and former Guthrie House resident Rick Carlton. For the past several months, these residents helped carve, sand and finish the totem under his supervision and mentorship. Consisting of 14 different characters, from an orca whale to a frog, the totem pole tells the story of these carvers' and other residents' journey as they learn to live a new, positive lifestyle.

The tree itself is a giant, first-growth yellow cedar that came from the farm at the Nanaimo Correctional Centre (NCC). With the help of Carlton and the carvers, the tree has been brought back to life with the totem characters depicting the recovery and healing of residents. With the totem base representing addiction to the transformation character at the top, each character represents an important recovery step.

Studies have shown that offenders who have gone through the award-winning Guthrie House are 33 per cent less likely to reoffend. Separated from the main facility at NCC, Guthrie House is a self-contained, 65-bed community that has been in operation since 2007. In partnership with the John Howard Society, the program combines work, treatment, counselling and round-the-clock behavioural modelling to fight the root causes of addiction and teach fundamental life skills.

Quotes:

Attorney General and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton -

"The Guthrie House Therapeutic Community is a shining example of how British Columbia is a leader in rehabilitating offenders and keeping communities safe. The program's success is shown by the impressive drop in recidivism rates for residents who have completed the program."

"Today's totem pole raising is a great opportunity to recognize the community at Guthrie House and the journey residents take in their important path to recovery."

Parliamentary Secretary for Corrections Laurie Throness -

"Guthrie House is a community in every sense of the word. BC Corrections staff and residents have shaped it into the success it is today. With lowered recidivism rates for offenders that have completed the program, Guthrie House is helping to keep communities safe."

"Not only is the totem pole a beautiful piece of art, but what it represents in the transformation of residents is equally inspiring."

Nanaimo Region John Howard Society executive director France Tellier -

"Since its inception in 2007, Guthrie House continues its innovative and successful approach to addictions treatment. The Guthrie Community Totem Pole project is another example of how working together as a community is crucial for the healing and recovery process of residents."

Totem pole carver and former Guthrie House resident Rick Carlton -

"We created this totem pole with a few things in mind. First of all, to tell a story of recovery and to draw from nature and Mother Earth for guidance. Second, that life is all around us if we let it in and are more trusting, and that we can use these similarities to grow from and to help us heal our lives. And third, that out of addiction, we are capable of great things if we give ourselves a chance to change and to inspire."

(flickr.com)

Quick Facts:

• Guthrie House is the only therapeutic community substance-abuse program in a Canadian correctional centre and is an example of the innovative approach taken by BC Corrections.
• Guthrie House won the provincial Premier's Award for Innovation in 2012.
• The Guthrie Community Totem Pole took three months to carve with over 20 residents involved in the process.
• The pole consists of 14 characters: an Orca, Sea Wolf, Bear, Wolf, Beaver, Raccoon, Rabbit, Butterfly, Hummingbird, Salmon, Eagle, Raven, Watchman and Frog.

Learn more:

To view the totem pole and to find out more about Guthrie House Therapeutic Community, visit: www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/corrections/programs/guthrie.htm

To find out more about BC Corrections, go to:

www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/corrections/index.htm

For more information about the Guthrie House Therapeutic Community philosophy, visit: http://johnhowardnanaimo.org/4-phase

A backgrounder follows.

Media Contact:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Justice
250 356-6961

BACKGROUNDER

The totem pole tells the story of addiction and recovery using the symbolism of 14 different characters. Rick Carlton, totem pole carver and former Guthrie House resident, explains the symbolism in the following excerpt from a letter:

"Starting from the base or start is the Sea Wolf over Orca, which represents our life in addiction. It is in transformation and human figure crawling out, reaching up for help from the Bear and Wolf riding on the fins lending a hand representing the leadership here at the GTC.

The Bear represents strength and leadership, to stand on our own two feet. It teaches us to trust in our creative expression and to take the time to look for insight. The Wolf teaches us humility and leadership that we all have a role to play in making our families and community strong.

The Beaver is known to help addicts and alcoholics rebuild their lives by slapping the water. It teaches us we should make our movements purposeful and not to waste resources. It teaches us good work ethics mentally and physically.

The Raccoon represents our family and values and that support starts at home where we can be resourceful providers.

The Rabbit represents the leaps and bounds we can make in our life if we trust in people around us. The knick in his ear is in memory to Scarface, one of our resident rabbits.

The Butterfly represents transformation, emerging from darkness and being confined to spreading our wings and being spiritual and embracing nature.

The Hummingbird can fly forward, backwards, up, down and sideways. This is how we view our lives now. Our words flow with confidence because we believe in ourselves.

The Salmon represents health and perseverance over obstacles in our lives. We set goals that are obtainable, not always needing to flow with the current.

The Eagle is very spiritual as it helps us step away from our problems for a moment to take a full view of the situation. We now look outside the box for answers. We use all the things that happen to us so that we can make a better world around us. This is why I chose to perch the Eagle high on the pole.

The Raven is known as the trickster. This means that we enjoy what we have and confidence in our wisdom and the way we do things. The Raven is very social and vivacious and quite flexible in their approach to life.

The Watchman is an omen that has an all-encompassing view of the Community as he represents our passage into our new world (Alumni).

The Frog, transformation, represents our world reborn and our words of our recover. We are now sensitive to the emotional state of others and express our care with compassion and empathy. His hat has six gills, representing the six years the Guthrie Therapeutic Community has been operating. Finally, his arms are reaching out because we are now trusting and able to ask for help."

Media Contact:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Justice
250 356-6961