Eagle-Halibut Pole
Item number A50020 b from the MOA: University of British Columbia.
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This information was automatically generated from data provided by MOA: University of British Columbia. It has been standardized to aid in finding and grouping information within the RRN. Accuracy and meaning should be verified from the Data Source tab.
Description
"Fin of the Shark" (Barbeau); upper section of the Eagle-Halibut memorial pole. Unpainted wood.
Cultural Context
status; memorial
Narrative
The Eagle-Halibut pole of Laay’ (From the House of Sim’oogit Laay, Lax-w’isax clan of Eagle tribe) was first raised at the Nisga’a village of Gwinwok, on the Nass River. During a severe flood around 1900, the pole was washed downriver. Eventually it was re-erected at Git'iks. Barbeau wrote, "Oyai, the outstanding craftsman of the Wolf clan at the canyon of the Nass, took charge of the carving. As Peter Calder stated in 1947 that it was the work of Charlie Morrison (Tsem'akengahlyaen) of Gitlarhdamks and of the Gisransnat group, it may be assumed that he was responsible for at least part of it" (1950: 64:I:53). According to Barbeau, the pole was also called "Fin of the Shark (Naekem-kaet)". In 1947 Barbeau arranged for the pole to be purchased for UBC. In 1975 it was restored by conservator Roy Waterman, and Nisga’a artist Norman Tait. Tait said: "This pole is a self-portrait of Oyea... He's wearing a shaman's bear claw headdress, and he's holding his powers in the box on top." The carved and decorated chest that was originally part of the pole did not go to UBC due to poor condition, It has been in the collection of the Canadian Museum of History, in Gatineau, Quebec (VII-EE-29) since 1947(?), along with at least one of the remaining original horns (VII-C-1843). The pole was raised in the Great Hall in September 1976. The long shark fin piece that was originally the top of the pole has been in storage since 1976.
Iconographic Meaning
Crests belong to the family of the person in whose honour the pole was raised. This pole is from the Eagle clan. Main pole: the beaver has a flaming stick in its mouth - a clan crest. There's also a supernatural whale which Oyei adopted as his own crest - the whale had four faces normally (three here) and came down the Nass River grinning as it swam on its back. The fish with the human coming out of its mouth is a family crest referring to the story of the first man on the Nass River who came from Alaska searching for a new land and was swallowed by a great halibut who later disgorged him on the beach. The medicine man is a self-portrait of the medicine man who carved the pole and the box represents his medicine box. Norman Tait said his grandfather told him the medicine man "... brought himself back to life through his medicine box." Crest figures from top to bottom: Xsgaak (Eagle, now missing), K’aat (Shark), with faces above (7-metre-long fin--A50020 b), Human face surmounted by four cylinders, Ts’imilx (Beaver), Ansgiy’st (Burial box), Hagwi’look’am ts’im-aks (Man Underneath), Naxnogam txux hlok’gwit Gunas (Spirit-Halibut swallowing Gunas).
Item History
- Made by Oye'a' (Maker) and Charles Morrison (Technician) in Gitiks, British Columbia, Canada during 1870
- Collected by Arthur Price and Marius Barbeau during 1947
- Owned by Committee on Totem Poles before 1947
What
- Name
- Eagle-Halibut Pole
- Identification Number
- A50020 b
- Type of Item
- totem pole
- Material
- cedar wood
- Manufacturing Technique
- carved
- Overall
- height 7.0 m, width 0.3 m, depth 0.6 m
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Gitiks, British Columbia, Canada
Who
- Culture
- Nisga'a
- Creator
- Oye'a' (Maker) and Charles Morrison (Technician)
- Field Collector
- Arthur Price and Marius Barbeau
- Previous Owner
- Committee on Totem Poles
When
- Creation Date
- during 1870
- Collection Date
- during 1947
- Ownership Date
- before 1947
Other
- Accession Number
- 2106/0001 b
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