Saxman

We went to Saxman Native Village where there were dozens of totem poles. The totems were built for 1 of 3 reasons: memorial, honor, or insult. Each tribe had an animal to symbolize it's clan, and that animal was featured on the very top. The eagle and wolf are the most famous.

The totems were always painted with the colors red, black, and turquoise. These could be made from the natural elements. The women chewed up salmon eggs, and made the red paste.

This is an example of an insult pole. Seward was thrown 3 potlachs which are parties in his honor by the native people during which he was given lavish gifts. In Tlingit culture, it was expected that he return the favor. He never did. The totem features him sitting on his box of wealth. His red ears, nose, and mouth represent his stinginess.

This totem memorializes a little boy who, despite being warned, put his hand in a rock clam. The clam closed, and his hand was stuck! His friends ran to the village, but all the men were out hunting. The women ran to the shore, but the tide was coming in, and there was no way to save him. The little boy sang a song, knowing that it would be his last moments on earth.