Council Of The Clans

 Today (Sept. 5th) our time at the Cape Fox Lodge came to an end.  It was a nice place to stay while we started our Alaska adventure, but we are very excited for some extra space!!  

As you walk out of the Cape Fox Lodge doors you see this awesome totem circle.  I was able to find the meaning behind them.... this is from left to right, as you look towards them:

COUNCIL OF THE CLANS

This Totem circle was created and carved by Lee Wallace.  It is representative of the culture of the Northwest Coast Peoples.  

Pole 1: Raven Stealing the Moon & Stars.  This full-rounded totem depicts Raven grasping for the moon.  On the side you see a trailing constellation of the Little Dipper.  A little personal note for Wallace's son, whose Navajo name is "Man Up North" or "Little Dipper Man".  

Pole 2:  Raven Stealing the Sun.  This flat house post depicts a U-shape with a female face inside on the bottom, the Halibut above and the Beaver above that.  On the top is an inlaid mirror.  He hoped beholders would reflect on where they came from, their people, their clans, their houses, and their lives.  

Pole 3: The Brown Bear.  On the four paws of this totem you will notice the profile of a Raven and his balance; the hind paws have Eagles.  On top of the post is a very special carving of a bear cub for his daughter.  

Pole 4:  The Eagle.  This is a flat house post totem.  On the top are the Eagle and the Eagle Dancer.  The wings of the Eagle are carved as a button blanket with Mother-Of-Pearl buttons.  Other motifs of this pole are Wolf and the Killer Whale.  At the bottom of the pols is a U-shape with a male face inside.  With the placements of the 6 poles, the flat Eagle pole is facing the flat Raven pole, so these two faces are looking at each other-possibly asking "Who are you?"

Pole 5:  The Eagle and the Giant Clam.  There is an old story about a young Eagle who had been soaring in the sky.  He let his arrogance and pride make hi thing he could handle a Giant Clam.  The young Eagle was tempted, but deceived, and lost his life trying to pick up the Giant Clam. 

Pole 6: The Naa Kaani Pole.  This pole completes the Council of the Clans.  The male figure is wearing a traditional button blanket and hat and holds a speaking staff.  During ceremonies at potlatches, we need a Naa Kaani figure to mediate an bring balance of order to the festivities.