House Frontal Totem Pole

Item number A50039 a from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

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Description

House frontal pole with arched doorway from a Kwagu'l house frame. See records A50039 b-c, d-e and f-g for the rest of the house frame.

History Of Use

The beams and figures stood as part of a house frame, and acted as structural supports. Figures represented on house frames were supernatural beings which the family living in the house had the right, through their history and origins, to represent.

Cultural Context

status

Narrative

Apparently carved in 1900 for the dowry of Mrs. Spruce Martin. Barbeau notes from 1947 say the house "is that of the Sea-Lion, now belonging to Spruce Martin and the family of his wife (a Nawittka of Hope Island), the Unixir family. Built over 50 years ago...carved by Xixaniyat, a Knight Inlet Indian."