Header - Thunder Bird Park

Title - Late Park

Kwakwaka’wakw Pole

Kwakwaka’wakw Pole, 1952
Carvers: Mungo Martin, David Martin and Mildred Hunt
Based on: Kwakwaka’wakw (A’wa’etłala) Pole

The original pole in the A’wa’etłala village of Dzawadi in Knight Inlet had five figures but only the top three were acquired by Charles F. Newcombe when he visited the site in 1913. The original pole was erected in Thunderbird Park in 1941 (RBCM 1859). This version by Mungo Martin, his son, David Martin, and his granddaughter, Mildred Hunt, replaced it in 1952. The new version is based on a photograph of the original pole that was taken at Dzawadi in 1881 by Edward Dossetter. It adds a second Chief holding a Copper, which can be seen in the photograph; the bottom figure of the pole is omitted because it is obscured by people standing in front of it in the photograph.
RBCM 17368.

 

Kwakwaka’wakw PoleThunderbird Park, 1955. BC Government photograph. BC Archives I-20998.
 Thunderbird or Kolus, a supernatural bird related to the Thunderbird.  New, straight wings were attached to the original pole when it was erected in Thunderbird Park in 1941, but the wings originally angled downward, as can be seen in 19th century photographs of the pole at Dzawadi. The accurate orientation of the wings is restored in this new version of the pole.
Dzunuk´wa, the Wild Woman of the Woods, a sleepy giantess who desires to capture children and eat them. Her pursed lips refer to her habitual cry: ‘Hu, Hu, Hu’. Dzunuk´wa is also known as Property Woman. Encountering her may bring wealth and supernatural power.  
Chief holding a Copper. Coppers, distinctively shaped plaques made of copper, are symbols of chiefly wealth and prestige. Each Copper has a specific name and value that can be increased through potlatching.
Chief holding a Copper. Only part of the original pole was collected and installed in Thunderbird Park in 1941. This new version adds the second Chief figure that was on the original pole.

 
Video Camera Icon Erecting the replica Dzawadi pole, 1952. RBCM KWA-F-016.
Use the controller on the left to play video clip

Kwakwaka’wakw Pole in situDzawadi, 1881. Edward Dossetter photograph. BC Archives B-03564.
Kwakwaka’wakw Pole with the museum in the backgroundThunderbird Park, 1969.
BC Government photograph.
RBCM PN 12988-12.
Kwakwaka’wakw Pole and other exhibitsThunderbird Park, 1954.
BC Government photograph.
BC Archives I-26971.
  
Close up of ThunderbirdThunderbird Park, 1954.
BC Government photograph.
BC Archives I-26971.
Close up of Dzunuk´wa, the Wild Woman of the WoodsThunderbird Park, 1954.
BC Government photograph.
BC Archives I-26971.
  
Close up of Chief holding a CopperThunderbird Park, 1954.
BC Government photograph.
BC Archives I-26971.
Chief holding a CopperThunderbird Park, 1954.
BC Government photograph.
BC Archives I-26971.
Back to Map