Thunderbird Park 🇨🇦

When you visit Victoria, British Columbia, step into Thunderbird Park, a remarkable historical site located right next to the Royal British Columbia Museum. As part of the Royal BC Museum Cultural Precinct, this park offers you an up-close look at stunning First Nation monuments and totem poles, mostly representing Gitxsan, Haida, and Kwakwakaʼwakw traditions. The park gets its name from the mythological Thunderbird featured on many of these carvings. Beyond the totem poles, you can explore significant historical structures situated on the grounds.

See St. Anne's Schoolhouse, constructed in 1844, and Helmcken House, built in 1852 by Dr. John Helmcken. You will also discover Mungo Martin House (Wawaditʼla), a traditional Kwakwakaʼwakw "big house" built in 1953 by Kwakwakaʼwakw Chief Mungo Martin.

The site's display began in 1940 to preserve deteriorating Aboriginal art, officially opening as a park in 1941. After poles decayed, a restoration program began in 1952 led by Chief Martin, followed by carver Henry Hunt and other renowned artists including Richard Hunt, Tony Hunt, Tim Paul, and Bill Reid. By 1992, all original poles were replaced with newly carved versions, making it a powerful destination to appreciate enduring Indigenous artwork and heritage.

What to see at Thunderbird Park

• Gitxsan, Haida, and Kwakwakaʼwakw totem poles depicting the mythological Thunderbird
• Mungo Martin House (Wawaditʼla), a traditional Kwakwakaʼwakw big house from 1953
• St. Anne's Schoolhouse, built in 1844
• Helmcken House, constructed in 1852 by Dr. John Helmcken
• Restoration carvings by renowned artists including Chief Mungo Martin and Henry Hunt

Visiting tips

Visit the neighboring Royal British Columbia Museum if you want to see some of the original totem poles preserved indoors.

How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Daytime

How to get there & what’s nearby

Thunderbird Park is easy to reach on Victoria’s public transport, and pairs naturally with St. Andrew's Cathedral and Royal British Columbia Museum. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Victoria travel guide.