Raising A Pole

More than a month ago the Sitka community participated in or witnessed a totem pole raising. It was quite special, traditional, but not entirely rare. We are living on Tlingit land. The Native culture is ancestral to here and has existed with nature, bloodshed, warfare, persistence, spirit, and much more. Totem Park is one of the most frequented places in town for casual walkers, tourists, eagles and ravens, a connection to the past....it is located in the Sitka National Historical Park, which turned 100 years old this past year. The culmination of the centennial was the raising of a dedicated totem pole carved for the occasion. Normally, the personable and talented carver Tommy Joseph gets many months for his commissions; I believe he employed a crew of volunteers to crank this pole out in several weeks.

The raising was to take place the weekend of the possible government shutdown and therefore postponed. The rescheduled date in May provided warm sunshine and ideal conditions for gathering the community over a special, exciting and revered occurrence.

Due to other plans we could only go to the ceremony rather than the actual raising. There was great energy tinged with celebrations waiting to burst once the pole was raised into its place. A video of the raising is here.

I think of them as "youth" and "elder" poles situated by one another. :)

See the ropes attached? Imagine the many people who grasped those ropes and pulled, heaved, and staggered along to heft the weight of not only this cedar, but the weight of a storytelling and identity-sharing tradition. They worked together and pulled this pole into its impressive posture, balancing how it will sit and look out across the waters and historical forest forever more.

Mother Earth rests before the raising excitement.

As I said, it was a gloriously sunny day for ceremonies.

Presenting regalia for recognition.

Lifted and standing tall. Enjoyed and celebrated.

When you visit us in Sitka we will take you through the Park to view and enjoy these totem pole treasures. They are long-standing members of the community and probably welcome the company and appreciation.

*Amy