Saxman Village
It’s a village; not a reservation. Children follow the maternal line for their ancestors. We walked a short distance through a luscious, verdant forest. They called it a nature walk which made us laugh because it was so short.
A beaver with a human head on his tail
This was an old totem that they had to lay down so it wouldn't hurt anyone since it had started to lean
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| Looking down to the bay from Bear Clan Lodge |
Bears’ Clan house is one of the largest in the area. One large fire for heating the inside (they had removable wood planks covering the fire pits) and a few smaller fires for cooking. Traditionally, there was one door only.
They would have their potlaches here with lots of dancing, eating and sharing.
We loved the fact that their spokesman was developmental challenged. The kids were so darling and their clothing was fantastically ornamented.
Loved the Orca on this one
Their version of Seward, who was USA Secretary of State and bought the state for 2 cents an acre
Even the way the eagles are facing have a meaning
Current projects, the bottom is an octopus
Even their sketches were beautifully done!
Red cedar is considered the “Tree of Life” to them.
Yellow cedar for smaller projects bc it shows better detail and finer grain Their carved boxes sides are made from one piece of wood with bottom and top separate wood...Would have loved to have one but very expensive!!!
Red alder is for cooking utensils and handles
No sandpaper used only tools to smooth the wood.
Colors are from natural minerals made by women and were like oil paint that lasted pretty long
They have a totem raising involving dancing, singing, and raising with the carver present.
Master carver can charge $5,000 per square foot
The story “totem” poles are similar to stained glass windows since they both tell stories for those who didn’t read. The native Americans didn’t have a written language; only oral.
John and our guide were wonderful
Ketchikan can only be reached by boat or plane. It has a high number of really quality art galleries. I really loved the sculptures carved from antique whalebone. It has in some areas a fine sponge like texture.
Downtown shuttle from docks to the city. Ketchikan “Almost” Daily News since it only comes out 6 days a week
Totem in town called “Moon over Ketchikan” but the real name is Thundering Wings of an Eagle by Nathan Jackson
Ketchikan Tunnel is in Guinness Book of Records, can go through it, around it, under and over it.
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| In case you want to complain about the rain |
If a totem is erected for someone important there is a large space separating the top and bottom
Where the fish and the fishermen go up stream to spawn
Women are recognized up here for all their business contributions...
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| Lots of restaurants and shops along here |
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| There were fishermen and women along the bridge here using their flies to catch them
Your hand represents the 5 kinds of Salmon...(Pinkie=pink, Ring finger=Silver, Middle=King, Pointer=Sockeye, Thumb, rhymes with Chum...Actually, they have multiple names for all these salmons...
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Much of the downtown waterfront area has been added to accommodate cruise ships, so lots of broad boardwalks.
A fish ladder to get the salmon up stream
Window shopping...LOL! Incredible art galleries here, I would have liked to see more of them!
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| Heading back to our ship
Around 7 PM as we were entering Snow Pass, a narrow,
deep pass that’s rich in krill, we saw 5 humpback whales, but only one showed us his fluke. It’s a magical looking area reminding us of Ireland or Scotland with its mountains shrouded in mists.
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Snow Pass
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| Humpback Whale |
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Looking back now, this town even being cloudy was one of my favorites...it's more what I expected to see...old fishing towns, not too pretty, but unique! |
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