Artifact of the Month: November 2016

"Stone Ribs", a Haida Story Pole from Old Kasaan

Ketchikan Museums care for a diverse range of artifacts in both museums, from tiny coins to monumental totem poles. The Totem Heritage Center houses a priceless collection of unrestored, original 19th century totem poles retrieved from neighboring uninhabited native village sites. These poles, carved during the "golden age" of totem poles, were left to slowly decay and return to the earth following traditional practice. With rapid deterioration caused by the rainforest environment and the additional threat of vandalism and theft, the need to conserve these few remaining original examples grew urgent. Native descendants from original village inhabitants guided the pole retrieval effort in partnership with the Alaska State Museum, Alaska Native Brotherhood, the United States Forest Service, the Smithsonian Institution, and the City of Ketchikan. Through these collaborative efforts, the Totem Heritage Center opened in 1976 to preserve and display these original historic poles, and provide cultural context by introducing Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian societies.

Northwest Coast culture was passed on through rich oral history traditions, and was ever-present in many highly-developed artforms that were interwoven with all aspects of life. The deeds of people, animals, and mythological beings taught vital lessons about history, lineage, and cultural values. Stories were treasured clan possessions, often illustrated by totem poles that stood as tangible testament to collective memory and identity. The human figure on this story pole from Old Kasaan represents legendary Haida strongman Stone Ribs, who could transform into other beings. After the killer whale people saved him from drowning, Stone Ribs lived in their village at the bottom of the sea in order to repay his debt. This pole depicts his return to his own people encased in the sea lion form. The top of the pole is the tip of the sea lion's nose, breaking upward through the water as he swims safely home. Ovoid shapes on each side represent the joints of the flippers and prominent ribs are carved in the back of the pole.