Description
Totem poles of the Northwest Coast communicated many layers of information about the chiefs and their families who commissioned them. Crests of the families were based on animals, fish, birds and plants that they encountered in the ancestral myths. Each generation raised new poles that recombined the images of ancestors and supernatural beings as a record of the ties between families and their links to property and resources.
Welcome Figure embodies the pride, honour, prosperity and hospitality that have been the hallmark of the Kwaguilth people for generations.
THe main figure is a chief holding a talking stick in one hand and a copper in the other. The copper is the symbol of prosperity. Above the tlking stick is an eagle, the toem for the people of Fort Rupert, British Columbia. The chief is welcoming a visitor to his village. He is enveloped by a raven that is carrying an eagle in its tail. The guest is standing below the walking stick and is wearing a woven hat and chilkat blanket.
Welcome Figure embodies the pride, honour, prosperity and hospitality that have been the hallmark of the Kwaguilth people for generations.
THe main figure is a chief holding a talking stick in one hand and a copper in the other. The copper is the symbol of prosperity. Above the tlking stick is an eagle, the toem for the people of Fort Rupert, British Columbia. The chief is welcoming a visitor to his village. He is enveloped by a raven that is carrying an eagle in its tail. The guest is standing below the walking stick and is wearing a woven hat and chilkat blanket.