Jonathan Cohen's photos with the keyword: American Indian

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An older version of Chief Skedans Mortuary Pole was raised in the Haida village of Skidegate about 1870. It honours the Raven Chief of Skedans and depicts the chief’s hereditary crests. The rectangular board at the top of the original pole covered a cavity that housed the Chief's remains. Haida artist Bill Reid with assistant Werner True carved this new pole in 1964. Don Yeomans recarved the top moon face in 1998.

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Ga’akstalas, carved in 1991 by Wayne Alfred and Beau Dick who are from Alert Bay on the northern tip of Vancouver Island. The pole is based on a design by Russell Smith. The pole depicts many important figures in Kwakwaka’wakw culture. Red Cedar-bark Man is an ancestor who survived the great flood and gave the people the first canoe. The hero Siwidi, shown riding a killer whale, was taken under the sea to the home of the sea-world’s chief and brought back the right to use all of the sea-kingdom masks. The giantess dzunukwa sits at the base of the pole, symbolizing her central role in bringing magic and wealth to her people. In the words of the artists: "We wanted this pole to be a beacon of strength for our young people and show respect for our elders. It is to all our people who have made contributions to our culture."

There are now three so-called "welcome" gateways installed in what is popularly known as Stanley Park's s totem pole area. They are the first physical presence of indigenous people of Metro Vancouver on the site. Previously, all eight of the totem poles at Brockton Point were from northern first nations such as the Haida and Nisga’a. The Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh who traditionally used Stanley Park never made totem poles. But they did make house posts and the three impressive arches take their form from what guests would have walked under when entering a traditional Coast Salish longhouse. Susan Point, the Musqueam artist who designed the welcome gateways or portals, said she’s honored that her work was chosen to represent the Coast Salish people. "The Salish people are finally setting their footprint, their own artwork, on their own land," she said in an interview in the backyard of her home and workshop on Musqueam land in south Vancouver. Working on the gateways has been a family affair for Point. The carvers and painters include Point, her children Brent Sparrow, Kelly and Thom Cannell, as well as husband Jeff Cannell, son-in-law Leigh Rollins, and production manager Ron Denessen.

The year was 1948. The occasion: a UBC Homecoming football game. On October 30 during the half-time intermission, students and sports fans bore witness to the dedication and rise of the late Kwakwaka’wakw artist, Ellen Neel’s Victory Through Honor totem pole. With her husband Edward and respected Chief William Scow at her side, Neel gave the University of British Columbia two special gifts: the totem pole and the permission to use the Thunderbird name and crest for UBC athletic teams. The pole tells of the five tests of Tsikumin, chief shaman of the Red Cedar Bark Dance and founder of Qui-Owa Sutinuk, ancestors of the carver.

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Kaka’solas – "People Come From Far Away to Seek her Advice"

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