Exhibit, To The Totem Forests

Sitka

'Yalis (Alert Bay)

Gwa'yasdams (Gilford Village)

Kalugwis (Turnour Island)

K'we (Mt. Stephens)

'Mi'mkwamlis (Village Island)

T'sadzis'nukwaame' (New Vancouver)

Ts'aa7ahl (Chaatl)

Q'una (Skedans)

Hlragilda (Skidegate)

T'anuu

Pebble Town

Gitwangak (Kitwanga)

Kispiox

Kitsegyukla

Gitanyow (Kitwancool)

Ba'a's (Blunden Harbour)

Xwatis (Quatsino)

Q'una (Skedans)

Hlragilda (Skidegate)

Gitanyow (Kitwancool)

Haina

Hiellen

Canoes

Interview

Kitsegyukla

'Three totem poles at Kitsegukla' / A.Y. Jackson / National Gallery of Canada / 17484r 'Details:  totem poles at Kitsegukla' / A.Y. Jackson / National Gallery of Canada / 17481

RBCM PN04122

"The Pole-of-the-Moon represents the Mountain-goat, with a single horn; the Moon; (in the Moon) Skawah, the ancestress of the clan, with the earthquake charm in her hand; (under the Moon) Legi-yuwen, one of Skawah's sky-born sons, an ancestor in the clan; the Owl.

"The Skawah narratives are among the lengthiest and most characteristic myths of the nation. They describe the misfortunes of the maiden Skawah, after her relatives were slain by their enemies; her rescue by Rays-of-the-Sun, a sky spirit; the birth of several children to her in the Sky, their education, their training, and finally, their return to earth, where they avenged the memory of their uncles, established new customs, and adopted heraldic emblems or crests which were symbolic of their noble origin, in particular, the Moon, the Stars, the Rainbow, and Bird of the Sky."
Barbeau 1929:80

On To Gitanyow

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