The Spencer Pole before restoration by the CCC
Source: National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 35-TA. Archival photo processed by Brent McKee.
Description
David Peele and craftsmen enrolled in the Civilian Conservation Corps carved a copy of the Spencer Pole. The Kasaan Haida Heritage Foundation describes the significance of the figures represented on the pole: “The 40-foot Spencer Pole was raised by Kate Gamede, a Kasaan woman of Táas Láanas clan, as a memorial to her husband, a photographer from Victoria, BC. The image of Mr. Spencer appears at the top of the pole; below appear scroll patterns; Raven carrying the moon in his mouth; and Black Skin, the strong man, holding the sea lion. The last figure illustrates a story familiar to the Haida and Tlingit; a weak boy who trained and finally overcame all of his stronger relatives. His chief exploit was tearing a sea lion in two to the consternation of his companions. This pole was taken down on December 22, 1938 in Old Kasaan and barged to the new site where it was adzed and re-carved by David Peele.”
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“The ‘Spencer Pole’ at Old Kasaan before it was removed for restoration by Indian CCC enrollees. Note the beaver hat on the topmost figure. This is common to many of the poles made during the latter part of the 1800s. Figures wearing stovepipe hats were carved, and known as ‘Boston Men”—a term which became almost synonymous with ‘white man’ among Alaskan Indians at time.”
The Spencer Pole before restoration by the CCC verso
“The ‘Spencer Pole’ at Old Kasaan before it was removed for restoration by Indian CCC enrollees. Note the beaver hat on the topmost figure. This is common to many of the poles made during the latter part of the 1800s. Figures wearing stovepipe hats were carved, and known as ‘Boston Men”—a term which became almost synonymous with ‘white man’ among Alaskan Indians at time.”
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Note from Viola Garfield Volume: Copy of Spencer pole, New Kasaan Park; pole carved and set up ca. 1898, copied 1938 or 1939.
Replica of the Spencer Pole, ca. 1940
Note from Viola Garfield Volume: Copy of Spencer pole, New Kasaan Park; pole carved and set up ca. 1898, copied 1938 or 1939.
Source notes
National Register of Historic Places Registration Form for the Chief Son-I-Hat's Whale House and Totems Historic District, accessed on August 2, 2017. NÁAY I´WAANS, A Joint Project with Kasaan Haida Heritage Foundation and the Organized Village of Kasaan, August 1, 2017.
Project originally submitted by Brent McKee on August 4, 2017.
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