Peter Segall / Juneau Empire
Yéil Yádi Nathan Jackson speaks at a ceremony at the State Office Building on Friday, March 11, 2022. A totem pole originally carved by Jackson in 1980 was reinstalled in the building’s atrium after spending years in storage.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Yéil Yádi Nathan Jackson speaks at a ceremony at the State Office Building on Friday, March 11, 2022. A totem pole originally carved by Jackson in 1980 was reinstalled in the building’s atrium after spending years in storage.

Totem pole rededication ceremony emphasizes tradition, togetherness

An old pole finds new life at the State Office Building

JUNEAU — A ceremony Friday celebrated the endurance of Tlingit culture as a totem pole that has been in storage for some years was reraised and put on display in the atrium of the State Office Building.

In over two hours of ceremony, speakers emphasized tradition and working together and the importance of recognizing Alaska Native culture. The ceremony speakers from opposite moieties addressed each other in turn, as is custom in many Tlingit ceremonies.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire
Yéil Yádi Nathan Jackson speaks at a ceremony at the State Office Building on Friday, March 11, 2022. A totem pole originally carved by Jackson in 1980 was reinstalled in the building’s atrium after spending years in storage.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Yéil Yádi Nathan Jackson speaks at a ceremony at the State Office Building on Friday, March 11, 2022. A totem pole originally carved by Jackson in 1980 was reinstalled in the building’s atrium after spending years in storage.

“We’re here to uphold the Wooshkeetaan,” said Shaagunastaa Bob Sam. “Just like the totem pole this morning, we were here and we used our spirit to lift up the totem pole for the Wooshkeetaan to give them support.”

The pole — known as Wooshkeetaan Kootéeyaa — was carved by Yéil Yádi Nathan Jackson in 1980, assisted by Steve Brown and Dorica Jackson for the Juneau Centennial celebrations, according to the City and Borough of Juneau. The pole was previously placed outside Centennial Hall until 2016 when it was placed in storage due to preservation concerns.

[Alaska lawmakers applaud ban on Russian seafood]

Dancers concluded a ceremony re-installing a totem pole in the atrium of the State Office Building on Friday, March 11, 2022.

Dancers concluded a ceremony re-installing a totem pole in the atrium of the State Office Building on Friday, March 11, 2022.

The Juneau-Douglas City Museum began searching for a new home for the Wooshkeetaan Kootéeyaa in 2020 and moved the pole to the State Office Building Atrium in October of 2021, where it has been lying flat and adjusting to the indoor climate, according to the city. The relocation and reraising efforts were sponsored by several local organizations and companies, and workers from Alaska Electric Light and Power helped install the pole in the State Office Building.

The ceremony featured speeches from local leaders including Sealaska Heritage Institute President Ḵaaháni Rosita Worl and Juneau mayor Beth Weldon, but most of the speaking was done by representatives of Eagle and Raven moieties.

Kaasei Naomi Michalsen holds up a piece of painted cedar presented as a gift to Yéil Yádi Nathan Jackson at a celebration at the State Office Building on Friday, March 11, 2022, commemorating the re-installation of a totem pole carved by Jackson. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Kaasei Naomi Michalsen holds up a piece of painted cedar presented as a gift to Yéil Yádi Nathan Jackson at a celebration at the State Office Building on Friday, March 11, 2022, commemorating the re-installation of a totem pole carved by Jackson. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

”I’m glad that everybody here could be able to appreciate some of the things that I do with my hands,” Jackson told the crowd.

Jackson at times became emotional during his speech at the ceremony as he recalled past friendships and people who had helped teach him to become a carver. The design of the pole was guided by Yaanashtúk George Jim Sr., whom Jackson mentioned several times in his speech. Jim was responsible for choosing many of the figures carved on the pole, Jackson said.

“The most important thing is identification,” Jackson said. “(The pole) represents who we are, it represents history.”

A recurring theme throughout the ceremony was togetherness and reconnecting after two years of COVID-19 restrictions.

“Let’s walk out of here in peace and forgiveness, let’s set aside our hard feelings,” Sam told the crowd. “No longer should we say bad things to each other.”

ḴiḴnkawduneek Paul Marks, Sr., right, speaks about the significance of the figures shown on a robe worn by Yéil Yádi Nathan Jackson, during a ceremony at the State Office Building on Friday, March 11, 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

ḴiḴnkawduneek Paul Marks, Sr., right, speaks about the significance of the figures shown on a robe worn by Yéil Yádi Nathan Jackson, during a ceremony at the State Office Building on Friday, March 11, 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

• Contact reporter Peter Segall at psegall@juneauempire.com. Follow him on Twitter at @SegallJnuEmpire.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire
The Wooshkeetaan Kootéeyaa totem pole was reinstalled at its new home in the atrium of the State Office Building on Friday, March 11, 2022. Workers from Alaska Electric Light and Power helped install the pole.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire The Wooshkeetaan Kootéeyaa totem pole was reinstalled at its new home in the atrium of the State Office Building on Friday, March 11, 2022. Workers from Alaska Electric Light and Power helped install the pole.

More in News

Evan Frisk calls for full-time staffing of the Central Emergency Services’ Kasilof station during a meeting of the CES Joint Operational Service Area Board on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, at Soldotna Prep School in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kasilof residents ask for full staffing at fire station

Public testimony centered repeatedly on the possible wait times for an ambulance

The southbound lane of Homer Spit Road, which was damaged by the Nov. 16 storm surge, is temporarily repaired with gravel and reopened on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Homer’s Spit road reopened to 2 lanes

Repairs and reinforcement against erosion will continue through December

The under-construction Soldotna Field House stands in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
‘We’re really moving along’

Officials give field house updates at Soldotna City Council meeting

Kenai Civil Air Patrol Cadet Elodi Frisk delivers Thanksgiving meals to seniors during the Hilcorp Areawide Senior Thanksgiving Luncheon in the Kenai Senior Center banquet hall in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Giving thanks together

Seniors gather for annual Hilcorp Areawide Senior Thanksgiving Luncheon

Shrubs grow outside of the Kenai Courthouse on Monday, July 3, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Anchor Point man indicted for 3 shootings at Homer family planning clinic, recovery center

The grand jury returned 12 counts total for the three shootings

The entrance to the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center is barricaded on Overland Avenue in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Citing dangerous drivers, Kenai closes one entrance to visitor’s center

The barricade will be removed temporarily on Friday for Christmas Comes to Kenai festivities

A Kenai Peninsula Food Bank truck in the Food Bank parking lot on Aug. 4, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Food bank seeks turkey donations as Thanksgiving nears

The local food bank is calling for donations of $25 to “Adopt-A-Turkey” for a local family in need

Seward City Hall is seen under cloudy skies in Seward, Alaska, on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Seward budget hearing covers bed tax, wages, emergency medical services

The Seward City Council on Nov. 12 considered a series of legislative items connected to 2025 and 2026 budget

The results of ranked choice tabulation show Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, winning reelection in the race for Senate District D. (Screenshot/Gavel Alaska)
Bjorkman, Vance win reelection after tabulation of ranked choice ballots

An effort to repeal ranked choice voting and the open primary system was very narrowly defeated

Most Read