The park is home to many totem poles (mostly Gitxsan, Haida, and Kwakwakaʼwakw) and other First Nation monuments.

The park takes its name from the mythological Thunderbird of Indigenous North American cultures which is depicted on many totem poles.

Totem poles were first erected on the site in 1940 as part of a conservation effort to preserve some of the region's rapidly deteriorating Aboriginal art.

By 1951, many of the poles had greatly decayed, and in 1952 the Royal BC Museum began a restoration program with Chief Martin as its head carver.

Martin died in 1962 and was succeeded by renowned carver Henry Hunt.