Fur Trader Legend

Date
1966
Photographer: De Menil, Adelaide
Description

This is an example of a ridicule pole, a type of legend pole erected to notify everyone of an unpaid debt. The top figure is a white man, indicated by the use of curly hair and a beard. This likely represents a trader who cheated the Haida, possibly by stealing beaver pelts. The next figure is holding a shrimp in its mouth, a symbol said to represent a thief. The next figure is a crab, also a symbol of thievery. At the base of the pole is a beaver recognized by the large teeth and cross-hatched tail. The original pole stood in the village of Sukkwan on Prince of Wales Island. Douglas Sukqua donated the pole to John Brady for the people of Alaska in 1903. This replica of the orignal was carved by the CCC carvers in 1941-1942.

Subject (Geographic)
Sitka
Keywords
Haida
Kaigani
SNHP
pole
Alaska
monument
Northwest Coast
Native
First Nation
Art
Genre
Photographs
Type of resource
Still Image
Part of
George and Joanne MacDonald Northwest Coast Image Archive
Identifier
de_Menil_Slide_Donation443
Copyright
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Terms of use
See Source/owner terms of use.
Copyright owner(s)

© Adelaide de Menil.

Source/owner terms of use
This image is to be used solely for the purpose of research or private study. Any use of the image for a purpose other than research or private study may require the authorization of the owner of the work in question.