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Kwakwaka’wakw Honouring Pole

Kwakwaka’wakw Honouring Pole, 1999
Carvers: Sean Whonnock and Johnathan Henderson

This is the first pole to be raised on the Royal BC Museum grounds for 40 years. It is dedicated to the Coast Salish people on whose ancestral lands Thunderbird Park is located, and honours the Hunt and Whonnock (Wanukw) families of the Kwakwaka’wakw carvers. The log came from Quatsino Sound and is 553 years old. The pole raising was celebrated by ceremonies at the pole and in Wawadiťła. 
RBCM 20133.
All Colour Images - RBCM, 2006.

 

Kwakwaka’wakw Honouring Pole
Thunderbird, a Whonnock family crest
Portrait of Gideon Whonnock
Grey Whale, a Henderson family crest. The white circles represent barnacles. The upside-down head in the tail represents the late Sam Henderson. The face in the blowhole portrays Johnathan Henderson.

 

Thunderbird
Close up of Thunderbird
Gideon Whonnock
Side View of Gideon Whonnock and Thunderbird
Sam Henderson
Grey Whale
Raising the Kwakwaka’wakw Honouring Pole
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