Totem will tell story
of public library

By Ann Petersen

A 15-foot totem pole telling the story of the Haines Borough Public Library will be carved on site and erected in September.

A grant secured from the Institute of Museum and Library Services by the Chilkoot Indian Association will pay $10,000 of the $28,000 project.

 The Friends of the Libary will contribute $5,000, the Haines Woman’s Club will give up to $2,000 and the CIA will add $1,500. Other funds will come from private donors and fund-raising efforts.

The project will provide work for three Klukwan carvers and three student interns. Veteran carver Jim Heaton will lead the effort.

The pole was conceived years ago, growing out of a partnership between the tribe and library, said Sara Chapell, president of Friends of the Library.

“It was good because it involved education with cultural exploration and a visual enhancement at the library. It’s not just about putting up a totem, but getting kids working on it,” Chapell said.

The Haines Borough last week approved the project. The pole will be erected on the building’s south side, near a library parking lot adjacent to Mountain Market.

Library consultant Ann Myren, who helped write the grant for the totem, said it would be a symbol of the power of people working together.

At the base of the totem, a female figure will represent the local Woman’s Club, which founded the public library. Above it, a raven and eagle on either side of a human face will stand for residents and patrons. Three tinahs – a form of Tlingit currency – will signify three library buildings over the years. A dragonfly will cap the pole.

 The dragonfly is traditionally an emblem for a seeker of knowledge and also represents the Dragonfly Project, a partnership between the library and the Chilkoot tribe.

Heaton has 25 years experience in totem carving and has completed over 200 feet of totems. He has worked as adjunct faculty to teach Northwest Coast art for the University of Alaska and also led construction of traditional structures association with the Klukwan cultural camp.

 A yellow cedar log is to be transported from Kake to Haines in the next few weeks. Carving is to begin on June 1. Alaska Marine Lines is donating the cost of shipping the log.

Myren said people are encouraged to come by and watch the art as it is made.

The community will share in the benefits of those learning a life skill, she said.

Carvings by Heaton include the Clayton family pole on Willard Street, the seekers of knowledge panels at the library, and the sign for Dr. Patrick Smalley’s dental office on Main Street. Heaton also led carving on two, seven-foot warrior poles for the Klukwan Veterans Memorial Park.

The Haines Woman’s Club will match donations to the pole made in the club’s name up to $1,000.