Yaadaas Crest Corner Pole Fragments

Yaadaas Crest Corner Pole Fragment

NPS Photo/ Cinnamon Dockham

Quick Facts

Location:

Seaside Porch of the Park Visitor Center

Amenities

6 listed

Cellular Signal, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Internet/WiFi Available, Scenic View/Photo Spot, Theater/Auditorium, Trash/Litter Receptacles

When standing on the seaside porch and facing the building, you will find fragments of a crest pole on either side of the entrance doors. On the left the fragment is approximately 7 feet tall and has a bear figure, holding a smaller upside-down bear to its mouth with its claws. The bear’s body had been painted red, the square shaped teeth were white, and the eyes and brows are black. On the right, the second fragment is approximately 12 feet tall. The bottom figure is of a sitting bear with its claws tucked under the face. On top of the bear’s head sits a Watchman. His body is painted red, he is wearing a tall blue hat with a red stripe. The aged and worn off condition of the paint and the fact that these are fragments are good clues to indicate these fragments are very old.These 2 totem fragments are from a Kaigani Haida pole from Old Kaasaan on Prince of Wales Island obtained from John Baranovich. These are original pieces of one (of the two) Yaadaas Clan crest corner poles brought to the park in 1906. This pole originally stood at 23’ and along with its twin, stood at the exterior corners of the Yaadaas clan house. Photographic evidence shows that the poles were carved before 1885. The original twin of this pole is on exhibit in Totem Hall in the visitor center. Replicas of both the 1^st twin and the 2^nd twin stand outside farther along the Totem Loop Trail.