Photograph, Totem Poles in Alert Bay
Dublin Core
Title
Photograph, Totem Poles in Alert Bay
Subject
Totem Pole
Description
History of Creation - "Commissioned by Kwakwaka'wakw Chief Sisaxo'las, the pole on the right side of the photograph was carved around the turn of the 20th century by Charlie James (Yakuglas). The pole was then purchased by Mr. W. C. Shelley, chairman of the Parks Board, who donated it to the Art Historical and Scientific Association (governors of the City Museum). As part of the City's permanent collection, it was on view in Stanley Park from 1922 to 1986, when it was brought indoors by the museum to prevent further decay. It has been on display at the Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre since 1987.
"The pole originally stood in front of a large communal house at Alert Bay. It relates to the story of Se-wid and contains six figures from top to bottom: Qolus, “with her folded wings, ... the sister of Thunderbird”; Chief Tla-Wunum-Qolus, an ancestral figure; Killer Whale; Sea-Otter, “shown eating a sea egg” or sea urchin,... Sea Bear; and a human head, “the open mouth representing a rival who had spoken against ‘Sisaxo’las’ – and who had been ‘pushed down’ – to the bottom of the pole.” The story of Si’wit (Se-wid) was recorded and published by Boas as told by G-‘qalas of the Gigelgam nu-maym of the Gwa’waenox (Gwawaenuk or Gwawa̱’enux̱w), and by George Hunt... In its original context, the pole related to the transfer of names, positions, and property as part of a marriage ceremony. The pole flanking the door alongside the Sisaxo’las pole at Alert Bay is illustrated in James Sewid’s autobiography... The Sisaxo’las pole has not yet been raised in this image, but the house itself is identified as belonging to Sewid’s wife, Flora Alfred. Flora’s grandfather, Moses Alfred, thus likely built the house." (Ronald William Hawker, Yakuglas' legacy: the art and times of Charlie James)
The pole on the left side is the K’wamaxalas pole. In 1926, James L. Kraft (founder of Kraft Foods Inc) purchased two totem poles from Alert Bay. One was the K’wamaxalas pole, which was brought to Kraftwood Gardens, on the Kraft estate in Elcho, Wisconsin, where it still remains standing (2024).
The other pole, Kwanu’sila, was donated by Kraft to the city of Chicago in 1929 and installed in Lincoln Park. Kwanu’sila has commonly been mistakenly called “Kwa Ma Rolas” and misattributed to the Haida. The misnomer likely comes from the name for the pole in this photograph, “K’wamaxalas”, and the name and misattribution probably persisted due to incorrect signage that was placed in front of the Kwanu’sila pole until it was repatriated. The website and brochure for Kraftwood Gardens also continues to misattribute K’wamaxalas to the Haida" (Museum of Vancouver).
"The pole originally stood in front of a large communal house at Alert Bay. It relates to the story of Se-wid and contains six figures from top to bottom: Qolus, “with her folded wings, ... the sister of Thunderbird”; Chief Tla-Wunum-Qolus, an ancestral figure; Killer Whale; Sea-Otter, “shown eating a sea egg” or sea urchin,... Sea Bear; and a human head, “the open mouth representing a rival who had spoken against ‘Sisaxo’las’ – and who had been ‘pushed down’ – to the bottom of the pole.” The story of Si’wit (Se-wid) was recorded and published by Boas as told by G-‘qalas of the Gigelgam nu-maym of the Gwa’waenox (Gwawaenuk or Gwawa̱’enux̱w), and by George Hunt... In its original context, the pole related to the transfer of names, positions, and property as part of a marriage ceremony. The pole flanking the door alongside the Sisaxo’las pole at Alert Bay is illustrated in James Sewid’s autobiography... The Sisaxo’las pole has not yet been raised in this image, but the house itself is identified as belonging to Sewid’s wife, Flora Alfred. Flora’s grandfather, Moses Alfred, thus likely built the house." (Ronald William Hawker, Yakuglas' legacy: the art and times of Charlie James)
The pole on the left side is the K’wamaxalas pole. In 1926, James L. Kraft (founder of Kraft Foods Inc) purchased two totem poles from Alert Bay. One was the K’wamaxalas pole, which was brought to Kraftwood Gardens, on the Kraft estate in Elcho, Wisconsin, where it still remains standing (2024).
The other pole, Kwanu’sila, was donated by Kraft to the city of Chicago in 1929 and installed in Lincoln Park. Kwanu’sila has commonly been mistakenly called “Kwa Ma Rolas” and misattributed to the Haida. The misnomer likely comes from the name for the pole in this photograph, “K’wamaxalas”, and the name and misattribution probably persisted due to incorrect signage that was placed in front of the Kwanu’sila pole until it was repatriated. The website and brochure for Kraftwood Gardens also continues to misattribute K’wamaxalas to the Haida" (Museum of Vancouver).
Creator
Photographer - Mrs. Evans (?)
Publisher
Museum of Vancouver
Date
Date of Creation - 1915 (?)
Date of Acquisition - 2022
Contributor
Artist of Work Depicted - Yakuglas (Charlie James)
Relation
Photo depicts Sisaxo'las totem pole and K’wamaxalas pole.
Format
PNG
Photograph
Photograph
Type
Still Image
Identifier
PF 224, https://www.openmovportal.ca/argus/final/Portal/Main.aspx?component=AAFG&record=f494cb59-0811-4305-b0d6-0ccee82a93a4
Coverage
Location of Creation - 'Yalis (Alert Bay), British Columbia, Canada
Nation and Culture of Origin - 'Namgis First Nation; Kwakwaka'wakw
Location of Repository - Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Still Image Item Type Metadata
Original Format
Photograph
Citation
Photographer - Mrs. Evans (?), “Photograph, Totem Poles in Alert Bay,” Omeka, accessed May 13, 2026, https://omeka.ischool.utoronto.ca/items/show/387.