Chief Shakes Totem Pole

This group of postcards shows the Chief Shakes totem pole.  This painted pole was carved by William Ukas and raised in 1896.  It survived until 1978, when a windstorm blew over the pole, which was in poor condition.  A replica pole was built to replace it and is located in Kiksadi Totem Park in Wrangell, Alaska.

From top to bottom:

1. Raven
2. Box that contains the sun
3. Raven with sun halo.  On the Raven's chest is a female wearing a labret (lip piercing).
4. Raven
5. Tribal Astronomer or Woman Who Holds Up the Earth

Cultural Style: Tlingit

Do not trust the colours of this postcard.

More information:

https://livingnewdeal.org/projects/chief-shakes-historic-site-raven-pole-shakes-island-wrangell-ak/

http://www.alaskafloatsmyboat.com/beachcombing/2012/12/10/xauhysh0amo05jo73384hihdpc2hlj

New Blog

I have only been collecting totem postcards for a few years and have been inspired to create a blog after seeing totems in person in Alaska and British Columbia.  I really enjoyed visiting the Royal BC Museum in Victoria and Museum of Anthropology at UBC.  I look forward to posting pages dedicated to specific totems found on postcards in my small collection.  The research on the totem should be very interesting.

The first totem I plan to post was carved by William Ukas and raised in Wrangell, Alaska in 1896.