EVERETT – When a new totem is dedicated Saturday, Everett Community College leaders hope it will mark a time of happiness, healing and a new beginning.
The new killer whale and thunderbird pole at EvCC is meant to replace a totem commissioned in the early 1970s and conceived by Abner Johnson, a part-time EvCC instructor and an accomplished Tlingit carver whose works can be found from Seattle Pacific University to a museum in Berlin. Johnson died in 1997.
The older pole, which also included a killer whale and thunderbird carved from a centuries-old red cedar log, was neglected and fell into disrepair, ending up on a playground at the college’s child care center. The way it was treated saddens Johnson’s family.
The old totem was damaged in 2002 and “put to rest” in 2004 in a traditional tribal burning ceremony, said Earl Martin, a counselor at the college, member of the Cree Tribe and EvCC’s United Native American Council advisor.
As a result, the college has begun a centralized monitoring and maintenance system for all works of art on campus.
“We set out a year ago now to work with our Native American students and our Native American advisor and the Native American community to do the right thing,” said EvCC President Charlie Earl.
“It is important to the college that we honor Abner Johnson as well as Tlingit custom and culture as we bring a new artwork to campus,” Earl said. “Our Native American faculty and advisors, (carver) Odin Lonning and Tlingit tribal leaders will continue to lead us as we say goodbye to one totem and welcome a new one.”
The college commissioned a replacement pole with advice from cultural leaders from the Tlingit community, both from Alaska and the Puget Sound area, and with help from a group of American Indian students and employees. Lonning, a Tlingit carver, created the new pole from an old-growth cedar log at his Vashon Island studio. It is not supposed to be a replica, but was inspired by Johnson’s work.
One person who doesn’t plan to be at the ceremony for the new pole is Johnson’s daughter, Lisa, who is frustrated with how the original pole was neglected and burned. She and some other relatives believe it should have been returned to the Johnson family.
“The story my father started belongs only to him, and can never be replaced,” she said. “That’s why I have always remained strong in trying to have it returned to the family in his honor and memory.
“I can’t believe how it was treated. How it ended up as a playground toy is beyond me.”
Lisa Johnson said the situation is culturally complex. The story pole was never meant to represent a particular tribe or clan. Instead it was a work to show the respect her father had for the college and entire Indian population, she said.
“I wanted to stress that I felt the college had no place in making decisions they (don’t) know anything about, especially something as delicate as native cultural ceremonies regarding the burning of the killer whale,” she said.
Martin said the college tried to work with American Indian students, Johnson’s family and tribal leaders and had many discussions with traditional cultural leaders.
“Views were different from some members of the family and the traditional cultural leaders,” Martin said. “It forced the college to make a decision it didn’t want to make. We are sad about that. What we really want is healing and togetherness.”
Martin holds out hope goodwill will prevail during the totem dedication at 4 p.m. Saturday at the college. It will be part of a ninth annual coastal gathering. The ceremony will include a traditional Tlingit dance group from Alaska, a local Tlingit dance group and a salmon ceremony dance group from the Tulalip Tribes.
“My greatest wish is we could all come together and join in food and song and prayer and have some healing,” Martin said.
Reporter Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446 or stevick@heraldnet.com.
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