Notes

From Card: "Totem pole. 3 pieces. Collector's comment: '1 large totem pole or heraldic carving made by the Bella Bella Indians, B. C. The combination is a pictograph which illustrates the artist's idea of some mythical legend. As a general thing, these legends are rendered differently by each artist either in delineation or combination and unless the artist himself gives the explanation the story is difficult to be correctly obtained'. -- 1 Dec., 1884 James G. Swan. 9/8/70 - 9/20/70 Loaned to Nat. Gallery of Art."Ian Reid (Heiltsuk) and Evelyn Windsor (Heiltsuk elder) of the delegation from Bella Bella, Bella Coola and Rivers Inlet communities of British Columbia made the following comments during the Recovering Voices Community Research Visit May 20th - 24th, 2013. A chief would have the totem pole model when speaking in large groups and bang it four times to gain the attention of the crowd. The depicted figures are the ancestors from the owner's personal story. He cannot tell his own story because it would be bragging, so another speaker tells it for him. It is very much a sort of 'talking stick'.