MONROE — Every figure on the totem pole represents something.
The woman at the bottom symbolizes the bringer of life. Bear is its protector. It guards the Monroe Correctional Complex from negative energy.
On Thursday, corrections staff held a dedication ceremony for the totem pole carved by offenders.
The project was started by Doug Tobin, an inmate and member of the Squaxin Island tribe. Along with others in the minimum security complex, he designed and carved the 29-foot-tall pole for more than a year.
“All tell a story,” he said about the creation of the pole’s different sections.
This particular pole tells how 30 offenders learned patience through the careful work of carving. The group also spent a lot of time on design, Tobin said.
“You can’t cheat,” he said of the work.
The pole offered rewards for the inmates that went beyond learning a valuable craft, prison superintendent Scott Frakes said.
“Some of the men had a chance to reconnect to spiritual beliefs,” he said.
Others had the opportunity to learn about another culture.
The project was beneficial, especially in the tight economy, Frakes said. It cost taxpayers nothing, he said.
The totem pole is black, blue and yellow. It features images of several animals, a woman and the faces of men.
It will not be the last one created by the offenders or Tobin, who is scheduled to be released next year. Two other poles are being carved. Tobin also has plans to continue teaching his craft to students at the Sky Valley Indian Education Center.
Totem poles are sacred, and carvers are not allowed to have negative energy while doing their work. This means swearing is forbidden, said Charlie Peters, a volunteer at the prison who worked with the inmates.
“Looking at this, it touches my heart,” he said.
The ceremony lasted about 30 minutes. When it was done, Tobin joked that he needed to get back to his office. Still, the pride in his work told a story, too.
“This is my reward,” he said. “It will last forever.”
Alejandro Dominguez: 425-339-3422; adominguez@heraldnet.com.
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