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Our institution is committed to the development of new modes of collaboration, engagement, and partnership with Indigenous peoples for the care and stewardship of past and future heritage collections.

Terms of use
The Bill Reid Centre's digital image archive is the digital version of a research collection first assembled by Dr. George MacDonald and his wife Joanne MacDonald over their long careers in Canadian museology, archaeology, and anthropology. The archive represents the MacDonalds' deep respect for the cultures of the Northwest Coast, their connections to numerous communities along the coast, as well as their relationships with museums, archives, friends and colleagues. These images are made available here for research and educational purposes. Other uses may require permission; users are responsible for contacting copyright holders to obtain such permission.

George and Joanne MacDonald Northwest Coast Image Archive

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: Totem Poles of Gitanyow; The totem poles of Chief Luuxhon and Chief 'Willitsxw. Note the pole in the centre that is facing the opposite direction.

: Totem Poles of Gitanyow; The poles of Chief Gwaas Hlaam and Chief Gamlakyeltxw.The two poles on the left of the house illustrate the story of the Princess and the grub worm that originated on Kaien Island, where Prince Rupert now Stands. Along with the Hole-in-the-Sky or Hole-in-the-Ice pole, they have become iconic poles of Gitanyow, and have been re-carved and re-erected at the village. Fortunately, the original poles have been preserved.

: Totem Poles of Gitanyow; Looking through the row of totem poles at Gitanyow.

: Totem Poles of Gitanyow; Looking south through the totem poles at the village of Gitanyow.

: Totem Poles of Chief Gwinuu; The totem poles are (from left to right): All-Frogs, The Raven-Drum (in the foreground, facing the opposite direction of the other poles), Starfish-Person, Raven-Soaring and the Eagle-Person

: People-of-the-Smoke-Hole or Sendihl pole; In the foreground is the People-of-the-Smoke-Hole or Sendihl pole which was erected by Chief Gamlakyeltxw.

: The Real-Kingfisher or Sleeping-Place-of-the-Raven; Detail of the base of a pole of Chief Watakhayets. Attached to the large being at the base is a memorial carving of a house chief, who is seated on a box, which contains the deceased’s ashes.

: The Totem Poles of Gwaas Hlaam; The four totem poles on the left side of the picture were raised by Chief Gwaas Hlaam. From left to right: Skim-Sim, Pole of Tsilwiladaw, Split-Person and then the Mountain-Eagle pole in the foreground.

: Totem Poles of Gamlakyeltxw; The Sleeping-Place-of-the-Raven, People-of-the-Smoke-Hole or Real-People-of-the-Ladder, and People-of-the-Smoke-Hole or Sendihl pole.

: Totem Poles of Chief Gwinuu; The totem poles identified from left to right: All-Frogs, the Cane or Ribs-of-the-Frog (in the foreground), Starfish-Person, the Raven-Soaring, the Frog-Hanging and the Eagle-Person.The crests on the Cane or Ribs-of-the-Frog pole relates to Gwinuu’s canoe being attacked by the starfish (Ga maats).

: The Cane or Ribs-of-the-Frogs; Detail of the Frog-Woman at the base of the pole. She is covered with small frogs on her face and body. This pole was raised by Chief Gwinuu.

: Gitanyow Village; The village of Gitanyow with tents set up in the foreground.

: Sitting-Grizzly; One of three poles raised by Chief Malii.This superb pole has a large square doorway carved through the base, leaving little wood to support the weight of the pole in a wind storm. It is seen here with a prop to hold it up, but eventually it collapsed and rotted away.

: Flying-Frogs; This pole was originally raised by Chief Watakhayetsxw.At the top of the pole is Stikine, and then a Flying-Frog with wings and its head facing down. Next is a large human figure who is sitting with hands raised and palms showing. Next is the Flying-Frog, and at the bottom of the pole is Just-Sticking-Out or Half-Way-Out.

: Skim-sim, Mountain-Eagle or Thunder-Bird pole, and The Split-Person pole.; Details of two of Chief Gwaas Hlaam's totem poles.

: The Real-Kingfisher or Sleeping-Place-of-the-Raven; This pole was raised by Chief Watakhayetsxw as a memorial pole. Originally, a person carved in the likeness of the deceased was attached to the front of this pole. After years of facing the elements, the memorial has either fallen off or has been removed from the pole.

: Drifted-Aside Pole; At the top of the pole is the Pearled-Raven or All-Abalone-Pearl-Raven, who is standing on the head of Gisgyawtu, who is holding a pearl bow.

: Mountain-Eagle Pole; Detail of the base of the pole showing the Large-Nosed-Person.

: Gitanyow Poles; In the foreground is the Cane or Ribs-of-the-Frogs pole. In the background is the Starfish-Person pole and the Frog-Hanging pole.

: Gitanyow Poles; In the foreground is the second pole of ‘Willitsxw, and in the background is the Hole-in-the-Sky or Hole-through-the-Sky pole raised by Chief Haits’imsxw.

: Grizzly-Mother Monument; Wooden monument of a mother grizzly bear with two grizzly cubs on her head.

: The Cane Pole; In the foreground is the Person-of-the-Starfish. In the background is the Real-Kingfisher pole (left) and the Three-in-a-Row pole (right).

: Hole-in-the-Sky Pole; Detail of the base of the pole showing the Hole-Through with twelve human figures around the circular opening.

: The Cormorant Pole; Detail of the base of the pole showing the Cormorant, Bear-Cub with it’s head facing down, and the ancestress called Disappeared.

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George and Joanne MacDonald Northwest Coast Image Archive

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