First Twin and Wolf Poles

Yaadas Crest Corner Pole (First Twin), carved by Tommy Jimmy. This pole is a replica carved by Tlingit artist Tommy Jimmy in 1978. It portrays the heraldic emblems or crests of the Yaadaas clan. The two original Yaadaas Crest Corner Poles (or twins) stood at the front exterior corners of the Yaadaas...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Other Authors: A. de Menil
Format: Still Image
Language:unknown
Published: 1966
Subjects:
Online Access:https://digital.lib.sfu.ca/billreid-3649/first-twin-and-wolf-poles
Description
Summary:Yaadas Crest Corner Pole (First Twin), carved by Tommy Jimmy. This pole is a replica carved by Tlingit artist Tommy Jimmy in 1978. It portrays the heraldic emblems or crests of the Yaadaas clan. The two original Yaadaas Crest Corner Poles (or twins) stood at the front exterior corners of the Yaadaas clan house at Old Kasaan. The top figure on the pole is the Village Watchman. The next is the Raven in Human Form followed by the Raven. The final figure is a bear holding an animal in its mouth. The poles were donated by Govenor John Brady for John Baranovich of Old Kasaan and were donated in 1903. In the background is the Wolf Pole, which derives its name from the prominant figure of a wolf in the centre of the pole. The top figure is a man, possibly a village watchman or the owner of the totem pole. The bottom figure is a salmon. Two interpretations of the pole exist. The most likely is that the wolf and salmon represent the clan crest symbols, or they may identify the clan crests of a husband and wife. The other interpretation identifies this pole as a legend pole. This interpretation recognizes the salmon as a sockeye and suggests the legend of a boy who was captured by the Dog Salmon people. The original Wolf Pole was collected in 1903, probably from the village of Howkan on Prince of Wales Island.