Header - Thunder Bird Park

Title - Late Park

Haida Mortuary PoleThunderbird Park, 1955. Wilson Duff photograph. RBCM PN 12999.

Haida pole, 1955
Carvers: Mungo Martin, David Martin and Henry Hunt
Based on: Haida Mortuary Pole

This is a version of a mortuary pole that was erected at t’anuu ‘llnagaay (eelgrass town) on Haida Gwaii. It held the cremated remains of a Haida woman who was shot while travelling though the San Juan Islands. Charles F. Newcombe photographed the pole at the uninhabited village of t’anuu ‘llnagaay in 1901 and purchased it in 1911. His photograph shows that an Eagle with a Copper (a symbol of wealth) on its chest stood atop the frontal board at the top of the pole. This figure was no longer there when the pole was placed in Thunderbird Park in 1941. The Eagle (now without the Copper) was included on this version, indicating that Mungo Martin referred to the historical photograph as a source for the carving.
RBCM 20131.

 

Haida Mortuary P{oleThunderbird Park, 1955. Wilson Duff photograph. RBCM PN 12999.

 

Eagle, based on historical photographs of the original memorial pole.


Mountain Hawk, portrayed on the frontal board. The face and flat, curved beak are carved in relief; the wings are painted on the board.
Whale, with three rings (skils) between its flukes. These indicate wealth and prestige gained from potlatching.
Human head, wearing a hat with three rings (skils), perhaps a representation of the deceased. The head is between the ears of the Beaver below. 
Beaver, with the characteristic large front teeth and flat, cross-hatched tail, holding a stick. Like the other figures on the pole, it is a crest of the deceased.

 
 

Haida Pole in Thunderbird ParkThunderbird Park.
BC Government photograph.
RBCM PN 13941.
Close up of Eagle and Mountain HawkThunderbird Park.
BC Government photograph.
RBCM PN 13941.
Close up of WhaleThunderbird Park.
BC Government photograph.
RBCM PN 13941.
Close up of BeaverThunderbird Park.
BC Government photograph.
RBCM PN 13941.
Mungo Martin carving a Haida style mortuary poleMungo Martin carving the Haida style mortuary pole for Thunderbird Park, 1955.
BC Archives I-26994.
Haida mortuary pole in situt’anuu ‘llnagaay, 1901. Charles F. Newcombe photograph. RBCM PN 6.
Haida mortuary pole in situt’anuu ‘llnagaay, 1901. Charles F. Newcombe photograph. RBCM PN 6.

 
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