Totem Pole | Replica

Item number R-200 from the The Burke: University of Washington.

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Exhibit Label

Some people equate her with Sasquatch - Bigfoot - the shy hairy giant of the forest. Others view her as a fearsome mythical creature that can be the source of great wealth. The privilege of representing her in carving and performance is a prized heritage of some Kwakwaka'wakw chiefs. Erected in Gwa'yasdam's on Gilford Island, B.C., for three years, the original Dzunuk'wa figure faced down the beach toward the owner's in-laws, who had not paid a marriage debt. Such "ridicule poles" were raised to shame someone who owed a debt to a chief. When the in-laws honored the debt, the pole was pivoted to face the water. Symbols of wealth-shield-shaped coppers were then added to her head and hands. The figure was carved by Bill Holm in 1970 based on photos of the original pole and the original head that is now part of the Burke's ethnology collection (2.5E645). At that time her body was painted black. Based on analysis of historical photographs and evidence in the works of Emily Carr, Bill Holm has come to believe the body of the original sculpture was painted red. The replica was changed from black to red in 2002, when it was placed outside.