Story of North Island (Totem Pole)
Artist
John Wallace
MediumCarved cedar
Dimensions480 x 34 x 2 in. (1219.2 x 86.4 x 5.1 cm)
ClassificationsSculpture
Credit LineGift to the City of Seattle from the Committee of 33
History: The totem pole was carved in 1937 by Haida Chief John Wallace, for the New England Fish Company at their cannery in Waterfall, Alaska. When the cannery closed, the pole was removed and stored in a Seattle warehouse, being damaged in the process of moving. The Committee of 33 purchased the pole at an auction in order to present it once again to public view in a siting appropriate to the historic, cultural and artistic value of the artwork. Restoration of the pole began in 1983, when it was treated with wood preservatives and reinforced with a new steel support. The eventual chosen site for the pole is on Corps of Engineers property located on the Montlake Cut. The artwork was dedicated to the city of Seattle on May 16th, 1983. Present at the ceremony were many of Chief Wallace’s descendants.
Description: The artwork is a massive totem pole with multiple carved figures that tell an ancient tale. At the top of the pole is the head of an old woman and at the bottom, a Haida man. A young boy sits between the feet of the bear. The eagle holds a fish in its feet.
The “Story of North Island” tells a tale of an old woman left alone in her village (evidently, to die.) Through the powers of an eagle drawing on the Spirit of the Rock and the spirits of other things, the old woman is fed and lives. She is beset by a bear who steals her food and by the operations of the spirits she is given a son to help protect her. The son dreams of a man and the man-spirit of the boy’s dreams performs another wonder – he creates from the old woman’s shack a big house carved inside, with three carved totems outside. These were the first carvings and totems ever seen. The man, who had a Haida name, knew of the medicine to use when a good artist or carver was wanted and he told the old woman and her son so they could pass it down to the next generations.
Location: Montlake Cut East, Shelby Street & East Park Drive East, Seattle WA 98112 ( In the park along the canal.)
Location: Montlake Cut East, Shelby Street & East Park Drive East, Seattle WA 98112 ( In the park along the canal.)
