Erected in 1941, the Yaxte Totem Pole has stood watch through countless changes.
The pole was designed by landscape architect Linn A. Forrest & carved by Tlingit Master Carver Frank St. Clair of Hoonah, Alaska & assistants Edward Kunz Sr., & Eugene King, two Aak'w Kwaan Tlingit men serving in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).
Forrest choose to show the Raven's Picnic or Barbeque story on the totem pole to pair it with the new CCC Auke Recreation site, hoping to play on the picnic theme. Raven's Barbeque tells the L'uknax.adi story of Raven tricking the birds below him out of a tasty slamon meal. Near the bottom of the pole, Forrest honors the Aak'w Leeneidi's Big Dipper crest with his own flair by representing the constekkation with a bear. In addition to the L'eeneidi (Dog Salmon) houses Yaxte Hit , Xeitl Hit, & Aak'w Kwaan is home to the Wooshketaan (Shark) Toos Hit, Gunukadeit Hit , Xeitl Hit, & Xoots Hit. Throughout time & through marriage, other houses & clans found Aak'w Kwaan to be home as well.
Vandalized in 1993, the Yaxte' Totem Pole was heavily damaged from arson & bullet holes. The pole was restored by Arnold Dalton & re-erected soon after. In 2010, it was discovered that the pole was deteriorating from the elements & was removed. Restored once more-this time by Tlingit Master Carver Wayne Price with assistance from Fred Fulmer, a direct descendent of the original carver-the pole returned to its home in 2017, where it continues to stand at Aanchgaltsoow, The Aak'w Kwaan village site on the berm below.
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