Building “Totem Poles”

Building the frame for the “totem pole”

That time right before I wake up is a sensitive time; it’s when things come to me, ideas, concepts, meaningful dreams, etc.  That’s how this idea came to me; this idea of a kind of “totem pole…”  That was a little over 10 years ago…still making them…!

Stretching the canvas over the curved masonite towards the backside with the seam stapled down the back’s center bar

No nails are used; all pieces are held together with screws.  The canvas is stapled to the back center bar.  Below are two versions of the totems.  One is acrylic on canvas; the other is charcoal on canvas.  I have proposed to create a version of these for the Mendenhall Valley Library in Juneau, Alaska.  We’ll see if my proposal is accepted.

Charcoal on canvas “Argillite Totem Pole”

Acrylic on canvas – a painted version of the Charcoal on Canvas above

 

 

The Adarka Festival

Alaskan Tlingit carver Wayne Price (red shirt) leads the carving of a red cedar totem pole to commemorate the survivors of the missionary schools in Yukon Territory

I video taped various performances including the DahkaKwaan Danders, the canoe ceremony, and an interview with Wayne Price and the totem pole, however, for some reason just my still photos transferred but none of my videos would transfer to my computer.  Alas, I was terribly disappointed.  But, I have a few photo images here to console me; at least I have these!

The Kwanlin Dun Cultural Center entrance, Whitehorse, Yukon Territory

Out back of the cultural center, a wooden platform graces the banks of the mighty headwaters of the Yukon River

Directly behind the cultural center there's a large firepit circled by concrete seating stepping down to the wooden platform on the Yukon

 

Chilkat & Ravenstail weaver, Ann Smith stands in front of the painting created by her youngest son, Justin Smith

Ravenstail & Chilkat weaver Charlene Baker demonstrates Chilkat on her portable loom

Approximately 40 artists mainly from Yukon Territory displayed and demonstrated their work during the Artist Market

Tents were erected just in case of rain - there were food booths, demonstrating artists, workshops, etc.

Men in Cool Hats: Copper smith Brian Smith and silversmith/silkscreen artist Alano Edzerza

Artists taking a break - L to R: Brien Smith, William Callahan, Sean Smith, Dustin Johnson, Alano Edzerza, Crystal Rogers, Ann Smith and her grandson, Tyrone

Ann and Brien Smith stand next to their artwork displayed in the cultural center's new gallery space

Cherri & Wayne Price and Ann & Brien Smith stand before an historical display "back to the river" which was the theme of this year's Adarka Festival - the display shows Ann's "Grandmother's Time" Ravenstail robe, her mother drying fish, and her son Justin in the newly-carved red cedar canoe

The New Taku Dancers from Atlin, British Columbia

Button robes of the New Taku Dancers

Wolf Clan member and Chilkat/Ravenstail weaver Debra Carlick - she adorns the carved wolf hat created by her husband Wayne Carlick

Leader of the New Taku Dancers Wayne Carlick is adorned by a Chilkat headdress woven by his wife Debra Michel Carlick

With all the money our Native corporations have generated since 1971 (over 40 years), I am reminded that Juneau does not have a cultural center.  Sure we have the ANB Hall, sure we have the Sealaska, Goldbelt, and Huna Totem corporate offices, sure we have the T&HCC offices, sure we have the T&HCC community center at Salmon Creek, however none of these come close to the cultural center organized by a grassroots group of local indigenous peoples in the Whitehorse area, whom 20 years later have a place that is specifically theirs on the homeland’s river bank.

Goes to show you that money does not necessarily do all the talking…takes a group of those who walk their talk, that are earnest, diligent, committed individuals with a strong vision to address and create a modern place to educate and perpetuate the modern culture of the indigenous people – it allows the rest of the world that we still exist and are alive and well!