Header - Thunder Bird Park

Title - Late Park

Gitsan PoleThunderbird Park, 1978. Andrew Niemann photograph.
RBCM PN 14072.

Gitxsan Pole, 1954
Carvers: Mungo Martin, David Martin, Henry Hunt and Tony Hunt
Based on: Gitxsan Memorial Pole

This pole is a version of a pole called Great Protruding (Being) from the Lake that was raised jointly by two chiefs, Tu’pesu and Wawralaw, in 1855 or 1885 at Gitseguekla (Skeena Crossing). The name refers to the history that is depicted on the pole. The original pole was acquired by the provincial museum in 1953 (RBCM 15610 a-c). It was cut into three sections for removal and the plain shaft above the Hanging Frog figure was not included. For this replica version, Mungo Martin and his colleagues could refer to a number of photographs taken of the pole standing at Gitanyow. The Kwakwaka’wakw carvers worked in the distinctive Gitxsan style. 
RBCM 20124.

Gitsan PoleThunderbird Park, 1978.
Andrew Niemann photograph.
RBCM PN 14072.

Great Protruding (Being) from the Lake wearing headgear called the Brave’s Helmet, with Real Kingfishers on either side.
Uncarved length of pole.
Hanging Frog, a crest that refers to the history of Neegyamks, a chief’s daughter who disappeared one night. After two years, frogs appeared in the chief’s doorway and led the people to a nearby lake. The lake was drained and a large number of frogs took flight.  Neegyamks died and her father killed a large frog and took it for a crest.
Reflections in the Water, a crest derived from the legend of a woman who, when crossing a lake on a raft, saw faces of children in the water. Her family also saw the faces and composed a song to commemorate the adoption of the reflections (or shadows) as a crest. The woman and the children she saw in the water are shown on the pole.

 

Gitsan Pole outlined in red in situGitsequkla 1946. T. W. S. Parsons photograph.
RBCM PN 3814-b.
Gitsan Pole outlined in red in situGitsequkla. Mogensen photograph.
RBCM PN 11996.
Gitsan Pole outlined in red in Thunderbird ParkThunderbird Park, 1957. BC Government photograph.
BC Archives I-21002.

Close up of Gitsan pole in Thunderbird ParkThunderbird Park, 1954. BC Government photograph.
BC Archives I-26973.
Back to Map