The Wa'kas pole is a replica of an Alert Bay pole done by Yuxwayu as a memorial to Chief Wakius (or Wa'kas). The original was a house pole erected in 1893 with a ceremonial entrance through the Raven's mouth. The pole depicts a legend of 3 sons of a Nimpkish chief who outwit a mythical cannibal-at-the-north-end-of-the-world who had been stealing members of the tribe.

The first pole was bought by the Art, Historical and Scientific Association of Vancouver and installed in Stanley Park in 1928. The original was moved to the Canadian Museum of Civilization for their Kwakwaka'wakw house. (Stewart, Totem Poles, 1990) According to an article in the Vancouver Sun, Oct 31, 1986, the thunderbird head from the top of the pole went missing from the Park Board service yard before it was shipped to Ottawa. Doug Cranmer participated in its restoration.