Header - Thunder Bird Park

Title - Late Park

Haida PoleThunderbird Park, 1967. BC Government photograph.
BC Archives I-21012.

Haida Pole, 1954
Carvers: Mungo Martin, David Martin, Henry Hunt
Based on: Haida Memorial Pole

 

A man named Checkgath raised the original version of this pole in t’anuu ‘llnagaay (eelgrass town), Haida Gwaii, in 1911. It shows some of his family crests and serves as a memorial to his wife. Charles F. Newcombe purchased it in 1911 when t’anuu ‘llnagaay was no longer inhabited. It was erected in Thunderbird Park in 1941 and can now be seen in the main lobby of the museum. This replica version, made by Kwakwaka’wakw carvers, follows the Haida style of the original.
RBCM 20128.

Haida PoleThunderbird Park, 1967. BC Government photograph. BC Archives I-21012.


Three Watchmen, guardians who are said to call out warnings at the approach of enemy canoes. They wear hats with skils, or potlatch rings, that indicate high status demonstrated by potlatching.
Bird, possibly Cormorant (an Eagle clan crest), with an upturned face in its tail. In the collection records, it is referred to as Eagle or Thunderbird.
Human-like figure holding a Frog. Newcombe thought this represented a shaman but it is likely the Eagle clan ancestress called jilaa quns who is also known as Frog Woman, Copper Woman and Volcano Woman.
Whale, with upturned tail and an upside-down human face in its blowhole. 

 

 

 

  
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David Martin, Henry Hunt and Mungo Martin erecting the replica Haida pole, 1954. RBCM KWA-F-016.
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Haida PoleThunderbird Park, 1954. BC Government photograph.
BC Archives I-26972.
Close up of Three WatchmenThunderbird Park, 1954.
BC Government photograph.
BC Archives I-26972.
Close up of BirdThunderbird Park, 1954.
BC Government photograph.
BC Archives I-26972.
Close up of human like figureThunderbird Park, 1954.
BC Government photograph.
BC Archives I-26972.
Close up of WhaleThunderbird Park, 1954.
BC Government photograph.
BC Archives I-26972.
Haida pole highlighted in red in Thunderbird ParkThunderbird Park, 1957. BC Government photograph.
BC Archives I-21002.
Haida Pole inside the museum foyerPole in Lobby, 2006. RBCM a01010d.
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