Jason LaClair - Story Pole
The carving forms the centerpiece of Qwot Qwem —meaning “noisy waters” in Xwlemi Chosen—an ad-hoc gallery in Hotel Leo in downtown Bellingham dedicated to honoring local Native and Indigenous artists. LaClair’s work is intended to honor and benefit the work of Cagey’s carving, and complete the story of the carving.
Jason's words for the story pole
First thing in the morning was to sit by the pole and pray talk to it. Asking the pole to guide my hands work the excess wood away so the spirit of it would be content with the final work. Then id map out a plan each day whether I was grinding, sanding, carving, or chiseling. With carving I really had to figure out what worked best for me tool wise, the main thing was to Trust the Spirit.
Cedar has been used for many generations before us growing up in indigenous community's having a culture and way of life to live off of was important the teachings that were instilled in these indigenous people from the oral stories that were handed down before you its like that with cedar you can do anything with it what the spirit tell you that could be carving, weaving, medicine practice, regalia, canoe carving or building, art cedar has its many ways of being useful in the cosalish community it amazing with the impact it has made what it has provided for the people by giving up its life for us in the nature and having it being useful for us to take care of us I cant tell you all the ways but the very little information of what I know what it provides for us.
Eagle-
The majestic Eagle is strength, vision, leadership, intelligence and most of all resourceful.
Eagle rules the sky and is able to transform himself into a human if needed.
The Eagle symbolizes power and prestige around us all.
Eagle protects the spirit and the body, representing health and wholeness of the human being.
He is able to deliver messages to the creator, carrier of the prayers, he is connected with balance.
Eagle teaches us how to embrace an elevated perspective while bravely speaking the truth.
Whale-
The Whale connects with family, romance, longevity, harmony, travel, community and protection.
He is said to protect those who travel away from home and to lead them back when the time comes.
Whales are full of compassion, solitude, and knowledge of both life and death.
They are also associated with unlimited creativity.
Bear-
The Bear represents strength, family, vitality courage and health. The Bear is thoughtful and independent with little need for fellowship.
He is self-contained and strong-willed in nature.
Bear is a symbol of strength and wisdom and is looked to for healing and medicine. He continues to fight after being seriously injured; Bear is capable of healing our wounds.
Wolf-
The Wolf is a symbol of courage, strength, loyalty, and success at hunting.
The Wolf represents strong family ties, good communication, education, understanding, and intelligence. Of all land animals, the Wolf has the strongest supernatural powers and is the best hunter.
Wolf is a symbol of guardianship, ritual, loyalty, and spirit.
Wolf has the ability to make quick and firm emotional attachments as they often need to trust their own instincts. The Wolf teaches us to do the same, to trust our hearts and minds and have control over our own lives.
The meaning of the Wolf is to symbolize direction and leadership while also representing protection and destruction. We know that when the wolves are howling at the moon, they are speaking to the upper world and transmitting magical powers.
Bird Man-
The Bird Man is believed to be a supernatural being with the equivalent status to that of the great spirit, who resides in the upper world with the spirits of the sun, moon, and stars.
Bird Man represents the upper world, the order, and light. Bird Man dancers perform in ceremonies in asking the spirits in a humble way of the upper world for help.
The link between the upper world (heaven) and the earth was the sky and the Bird Man was able to move between the two realms as messengers to the gods.
The Bird Man is portrayed in his disguise as an eagle, hawk, or falcon. These birds are all strong, high flying predators. Performing rituals and dances of the ways of our people aligns themselves to the spirits of the upper world and gains favor for victory of important battles.
Serpent-
The Serpent symbolizes chaos, corruption, and darkness. It is seen as a male and violent being or monster who devours his enemies.
The Great Serpents, resided in the underworld and are described as powerful beings who were in constant conflict with the forces of the upper world who are represented by the Thunderers who were the Bird Men.
It took its place in the underworld due to its association with death and its role as a messenger to and from the world of the dead going back and forth.
The Serpent was the feared guardian of life and the forces of life. The Serpent connects to the rain, thunder and waterways. The zigzag of the Serpent or snake is symbolic of the water.
The Serpent symbol represents life and the renewal of life, just like water.
Mermaid-
The Mermaid is the symbol of balance with our hearts and our minds. The role that defines individuality is defined through the mermaids.
Seen by those with pure hearts, she is the source of life cleansing and renewal. She is a great supporter of the environment’s health and, of course, the health of the sea.
The Mermaid is a great helper when the earth needs it. Our earth is in great need of support