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Auke Bay
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Auke Bay
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Commonly caleed the Yaxte Pole (see adjoining panel), the totem pole at Auke Village Recreation Area shows three stories.
The main story is Raven's Picnic or Barbeque & was selected by landscape architect Linn. A. Forrest to highlight the recreation area. Raven is perched at the top of the pole with his heart shown as his stomach. In this L'uknax.adi sotry, Raven insulted a chinook (king) salmon until the fish took offense & came close enough to shore that Raven was able to catch him. Raven then called over his bird companions to do the work of preparing the salmon, gathering wood, & building a fire. After the hard work was done & the salmon had finished cooking, Raven sent his companions away on an errand, so he could greedily eat the salmon on his own. When they returned, Raven told the other birds that the fire had destroyed the fish. This made them terribly sad, & in return each bird was given a new physical trait to enhance their appearance.
Magpie was given an impressive flowing tail to life his spirits. While searching for fish remains, Robin got to close to the embers of the fire & burnt his breast, which then became a beautiful red color. Raven attempted to sooth Blue Jay by giving him a new crested hairdo. Finally, there is little chickadee, who cried & cried, wiping his eyes until the black under them came off, leaving him with two vibrant white cheeks we're all familiar with today.
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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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