A Tale of Two Totem Poles

Liz tells Devon about Spokane's two totem poles: the "Hamat´sa Spirit" pole carved for Expo '74 by legendary Nuu-chah-nulth artist Joe David and his apprentice, Frank Charlie (also Nuu-chah-nulth); and a pole carved in 1977 by a non-Native man who went by Wobay Kitpou and Colville craftsman Michael Paul. Both totem poles were originally placed in Riverfront Park on what was then called Canada Island. In 2016, the island was rededicated to the Spokane Tribe, the area's original people, and in 2017 renamed Snxw Meneɂ, Salish for "salmon people".

We talk about what a totem pole is, touch on other types of Northwest Coast art, the current state of the poles, and Liz shares bonus facts about the "Seward shame pole". 

 

Further Reading:

• Liz's writeup on the totem poles for her Expo '74 website: https://www.visitexpo74.com/art-and-music/canada-island-totem-pole

• Information on the Hamat´sa dance and ceremony written by U'mista Cultural Society; Joe David performed a Hamat´sa dance/ceremony as part of his pole's carving: https://umistapotlatch.ca/enseignants-education/cours_5_partie_3-lesson_5_part_3-eng.php

• A Spokesman Review article about the rededication of Snxw Meneɂ to the Spokane Tribe: https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/mar/09/canada-island-renamed-in-salish-for-the-spokane-tr/ 

• A Spokesman Review article on the 1977 pole's removal: https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2019/aug/01/after-42-years-in-riverfront-park-totem-pole-remov/

• The Alaska Historical Society writeup on the Seward shame pole: https://alaskahistoricalsociety.org/about-ahs/special-projects/150treaty/150th-resource-library/new-articles/the-seward-shame-pole-countering-alaskas-sesquicentennial/