Photograph, Chief Wakas Totem Pole in Alert Bay
Dublin Core
Title
Photograph, Chief Wakas Totem Pole in Alert Bay
Subject
Totem Pole
Description
History of Creation - "The pole seen in the middle of the photograph is the Chief Wakas totem pole. It was carved for Chief Wakas of Alert Bay and erected ceremonially as a central front-post of house in 1899. In 1922, it was purchased by Art, Historical and Scientific Association of Vancouver and re-erected in Stanley Park by 1924. In 1985, the pole was transferred to the Vancouver Museum. The Vancouver Museum, the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation, and the Canadian Museum of Civilization agreed in 1987 that the CMC would borrow the pole for a period of 30 years for the "Grand Hall" exhibit. The original pole was restored for the Grand Hall exhibit by Doug Cranmer and Bruce Alfred in 1988. A new Raven's beak and a new thunderbird were carved for the pole at this time, to replace earlier figures which were entirely worn away. A "new-generation" Wakas pole, commissioned by the Canadian Museum of Civilization and carved by Doug Cranmer, with assistance of Fah Ambers and Dickie Sumner, was erected in Stanley Park in May 1987" (Museum of Vancouver).
"It was carved, with the aid of helpers, by Yurhwayu, who belonged to the Mamtagyele tribe of the Kwakiutl, for Wawkyas, the informant's uncle, and erected about 1899. This was the first large totem pole at Alert Bay. Yurhwayu was quite old at the time he carved it. He died when the informant was young, and he was the only carver of totem poles in the district in those days. It is possible that at Blunden Harbour there may have been such carvers. Carving a pole was quite a public function, whereas the carving of masks was a strictly secret pursuit. Wawkyas paid 350 white blankets with black borders to Yurhwayu for his work. This was a large price for those days, the value of a pair of blankets being $3, and when given away these blankets formed a big pile." (Daniel Cranmer, http://parkscanadahistory.com/books/totem-poles-2.pdf, pg 673)
"It was carved, with the aid of helpers, by Yurhwayu, who belonged to the Mamtagyele tribe of the Kwakiutl, for Wawkyas, the informant's uncle, and erected about 1899. This was the first large totem pole at Alert Bay. Yurhwayu was quite old at the time he carved it. He died when the informant was young, and he was the only carver of totem poles in the district in those days. It is possible that at Blunden Harbour there may have been such carvers. Carving a pole was quite a public function, whereas the carving of masks was a strictly secret pursuit. Wawkyas paid 350 white blankets with black borders to Yurhwayu for his work. This was a large price for those days, the value of a pair of blankets being $3, and when given away these blankets formed a big pile." (Daniel Cranmer, http://parkscanadahistory.com/books/totem-poles-2.pdf, pg 673)
Creator
Photographer - Unknown
Publisher
Museum of Vancouver
Date
Date of Acquisition - 2023
Contributor
Artist of Work Depicted - Yurhwayu
Relation
Photo depicts Chief Wakas totem pole.
Format
PNG
Photograph
Photograph
Type
Still Image
Identifier
PF 413, https://www.openmovportal.ca/argus/final/Portal/Main.aspx?component=AAFG&record=0dae142b-7600-4e1a-8bcf-9247bc9ec6d5
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 - Unknown, “Photograph, Chief Wakas Totem Pole in Alert Bay,” Omeka, accessed May 13, 2026, https://omeka.ischool.utoronto.ca/items/show/388.