Gayle Jones leads a praryer during a ceremony for the healing pole students spent the last year carving along with Tulalip carver James Madison at Archbishop Murphy High School in Everett, Washington on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Gayle Jones leads a praryer during a ceremony for the healing pole students spent the last year carving along with Tulalip carver James Madison at Archbishop Murphy High School in Everett, Washington on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

‘A source of healing’: Archbishop Murphy unveils Coast Salish healing pole

“I’m happy to have representation of my culture here at AMHS being one out of 15 Native American students,” said Amaya Hernandez.

EVERETT — For a year, Archbishop Murphy High School students, led by Tulalip woodcarver James Madison, chipped away at a 4,000-pound redwood log, unveiling a wildcat — the school’s mascot — emerging from a forest.

Now, the new totem pole stands on the grounds of Archbishop Murphy southeast of Everett as a beacon of healing, community and culture.

Students and faculty, joined by members of the Tulalip Tribes, gathered Wednesday on the school’s football field to celebrate the pole’s completion.

“The goal of this project was to provide a source of healing while rebuilding and strengthening our community from all of the disruption that was caused to schools throughout the pandemic,” said Principal Alicia Mitchell.

Tulalip students and fellow tribal members twirled in traditional dress, while singing and playing drums. They sang blessing songs passed down from older generations, Tulalip Tribes Chairwoman Teri Gobin said.

“I’m happy to have representation of my culture here at AMHS being one out of 15 Native American students here,” student Amaya Hernandez said. “It makes me proud that we have made such a big impact to campus.”

The project dates to 2021, when staff wanted to unite students after months of isolation, Mitchell said.

Staff called Madison, whose children attend Archbishop Murphy and who also volunteers as one of the school’s football coaches.

“2020 was a very dark place for a lot of people,” Madison said. “We all got through it, and we all got through it together. I think that’s the lesson here.”

Madison, an artist and master woodcarver, has pieces displayed throughout the state, from museums in Seattle to his newest piece of Coast Salish art encircling the Everett Municipal Building.

Community donors funded the healing pole, with help from a $2,000 grant from the Snohomish County Arts Commission.

Ancestors of Tulalip tribal members have inhabited Snohomish County and surrounding areas for many centuries.

“There’s such a long history of Native Americans being underrepresented and misrepresented throughout history,” Mitchell said. “… To be able to provide this source of positive representation and an opportunity to share their culture, … it’s just a powerful way to help us continue to heal.”

Creating art together is a way to not only connect cultures, but to honor tribal heritage through education, she said.

“This land was our land,” Madison said. “We gathered here, we grew up here, we hunted here, we fished around here. All these lands are my people’s property and lands. You guys need to think about that for a while. To be able to create something that is on (Indigenous) property is very important to me, to keep our culture alive.”

Ashley Nash: 425-339-3037; ashley.nash@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @ash_nash00.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Jasmine Donahue talks about being a place for people leave messages when looking for family members, friends or loved ones on the street on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett extends deadline for homeless service facing closure

Hope ‘N Wellness must now comply with city zoning laws by April 30. The organization is “grateful,” its owner said, but still hopes for a permanent solution.

New Greater Everett Chamber of Commerce CEO CEO Wendy Poischbeg speaks at a kick off event on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Everett Rising’: Wednesday’s chamber luncheon to showcase a new era of growth.

The Greater Everett Chamber of Commerce is beginning its efforts… Continue reading

The Edmonds School District building on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds School District faces estimated $8.5 million deficit

The shortfall is lower than previous years, but the effects are “cumulative,” Superintendent Rebecca Miner said.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Hundreds rally against Trump on Presidents Day in Everett

People lined Broadway with signs and flags, similar to other protests across the country.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Alina Langbehn, 6, center, and Vera A., 6, right, sit on a swing together at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after school on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park

Construction on the $345,000 upgrade could start as early as this fall.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.