A once forgotten, 100-year-old totem pole has been recently restored thanks to the outstanding efforts of the Nisqually youth. “Farron McCloud, Nisqually Youth and Community Center Director, has taken the help on the restoration along with Quinault Indian Nation master carver Guy Capoeman who helped guide the actual sealing, sanding, painting, and examining the story of the totem pole,” says Debbie Preston, Public Information Officer with The Nisqually Tribe.
The Nisqually Youth Center has been operating for 10t years. “It is a nice facility with the goal of keeping our traditions alive in youth, along with education and health,” says Farron. “We try to guide them in life.” The main goal is to keep youth active in traditional culture and way of life. The Nisqually Tribe hosts canoe journeys, pow wows, and cultural classes that the youth are a part of. “We form around what our ancestors did here in Nisqually,” says Farron. “It is a blessing from the creator for this totem pole. Bringing it back to life, that is what we want for our youth, to keep them going with our teachings culturally and spiritually.”
The totem pole restoration idea came about after it sat in the tribe’s cemetery for three years. “We went over and looked at it and thought we need to wake this up,” says Farron. “The cemetery is where our ancestors are, as they are still there, and I had a vision that we had to get it up.”
The totem pole was owned by the Kleiner family and displayed at their lumber company for many years beginning around 1918. It was then donated to the Point Defiance Zoo and eventually was forgotten and not maintained. “When I saw it, it was pretty worn down out in the weather for so many years,” says Farron. “I knew we could do something with it.”
Where the totem pole originated is a bit of a mystery. “There is some confusion as to whether the pole came in on a barge from Alaska or if it was an Alaskan carver who did the pole there in the Tacoma area,” says Debbie. “We heard someone ruminate that the topper is a rabbit in reference to the rabbit infestation of one of the islands in Puget Sound. So, fair to say there is a bit of mystery surrounding the actual origin, but the design is unusual. The rumor was that it was either carved by an Alaskan carver or the pole was transported down from Alaska to be placed in front of the Kleiner business.”
Master Carver Guy Copeoman assisted the kids in the process from the Quinault Tribe. “The youth enjoyed what they did and were very proud,” says Farron. “We hired Guy to give the youth the history on totem poles and what they needed to restore it. He worked with them for about three weeks and they did an excellent job. It is awake again – the spirit has brought it back to life.”
Many of the kids said it was the best thing they did all summer. “It was very spiritual, getting this accomplished,” says Farron. “The creator is looking down and they all felt that.” It took 15 kids all sanding and painting to bring the beauty back to the pole. They then blessed the pole in a ceremony with sage and cedar and songs.
At the base of the totem pole, a time capsule will be placed to be opened in the future. “We want to include things about 2018,” says Farron. “What is happening around here now. It’s up to the kids what we put in. They have some crazy things they want to put in it like fidget spinners.”
Farron feels that the youth were inspired to begin another cultural project from their experience in restoring the totem pole. “When I showed them the sweat lodge, which is all about healing and praying, I closed the door and had them all sit around the sacred circle,” he says. “I told them this is a place to pray and cleanse your body, mind, and soul. Some of them thought it was pretty awesome. They now want a sweat lodge at the youth center. It will be a place to teach them about the ceremony and safety.” Farron continues: “It is something I never grew up with. If I had that when I was young, I think some of my struggles would have not been so many if I had a place to pray. It is a form of church.”
When the pole is erected in front of the youth center, a spiritual potluck and raising ceremony will take place that is open to the public in November. The youth will return for the pole raising ceremony and will be honored as well.
“As native people, it is our tradition to invite everybody to potluck and ceremony,” says Farron. “Put on by our people, come and be a part and this honoring of our youth and people in the project. We ask the respect of coming and be part of a joyous day. That is our tradition.”
Nisqually Youth and Community Center is located at 1937 Lashi Street S.E. in Olympia. You can find more information on its website or by calling 360-455-5213.
