Totem poles are tall carvings that symbolize Native Alaskan ancestors and cultural beliefs. Because it is rot resistant, they are made from cedar wood and painted with bright colors made from chewed cedar bark and salmon eggs. There are six basic colors – red stands for blood, war and valor; blue, the skies and waters, rivers and lakes; white the skies and heavens; yellow, the sun meaning light and happiness; green the earth, hills, trees and mountains; and black symbolizing power.

Interlocking figures are carved one above the other and often include fish, eagles, bears, ravens, human faces and supernatural figures. Each pole tells a story and the placement on pole is important.

We visited Saxman Park in the Saxman Native Village in Ketchikan. It was established in 1938 by the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) in the New Deal with the purpose of bringing together master carvers to train recruits and restore abandoned totem carvings gathered there from abandoned villages and cemeteries.

Our noses to the glass, we peered into the Carving Center of the resident master carver and brushed our fingers along the current twenty-foot pole that is being restored.

Red, black and blue paints adorned the wooden Clan house that looked down on the semi-circle of totem poles.

I loved listening to the stories behind each of the poles. An image of Abraham Lincoln rested atop one because he was instrumental in bringing about a peace between two rival clans. William H. Seward, Lincoln’s Secretary of State, was atop another with a red nose and ears because he didn’t show appreciation of gifts bestowed upon him from Chief Ebbits. Another featured a super hero, Kats, who left his human village to be with a spirit that took the shape of a woman and bore him three sons. When he returned to his home and gazed upon his human wife, the spirit wife who was really a bear, became angry and out of love for their mother, her three bear cubs devoured their father.

It was a wonderful day with lots of fresh air and stories. The next time I see a totem pole, I will be sure to give it a closer look to try and put together the meaningful story it portrays.