Everett Community College’s annual Coastal Gathering comes early this year, and with special reason.
The ninth annual cultural celebration, from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, welcomes a new totem pole to the campus. A dedication ceremony is set for 4 p.m. for the new totem that will replace one damaged in 2002.
The event, normally held in November, takes place early to incorporate the dedication of the totem. Activities are in the Parks Student Union Multipurpose Room.
The new killer whale and thunderbird pole were carved by Tlingit carver Odin Lonning of Wooshkitaan from the Eagle clan.
Lonning is a professional Tlingit artist, cultural education and traditional dancer.
Lonning’s pole is not meant to replicate the older work, but rather, was inspired by the previous totem.
The new pole was carved at the artist’s studio on Vashon Island from an old-growth cedar log. The pole will be located at the northwest corner of the Parks Student Union building.
The older totem, put to rest in 2004 in a traditional burning ceremony led by members of the Tulalip Tribes, was commissioned in the early 1970s and carved by part-time EvCC instructor Abner Johnson.
A story pole carved by Johnson is displayed on Seattle Pacific University’s campus.
The gathering also features traditional Tlingit dance performed by Daaxaat Kanadaa, a group from Alaska, and Leengit Kusti, a local Tlingit dance group. The Salmon Ceremony Dance Group from Tulalip Tripes will welcome guests to the area.
“Celebrating the art, culture, and tradition of the first peoples of the Northwest coast benefits our entire community,” said Earl Martin, EvCC United Native American Council adviser.
Local artists and vendors will have American Indian arts for sale. The free event includes a small meal of salmon chowder.
“We hope people will come and enjoy themselves,” Martin said.
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