The Carver of this Welcome Pole is Rupert Jeffrey. Rupert is a descendant of the Gitxsan Nation located in Northwestern British Columbia along the Skeena River. As the son of the white and brown winter owl of Git'ywan'nuuxx, Rupert practises traditional Matriarch Clanship and speaks under the Fireweed house of Sigaaduxx (House of the five clans; (wolf, killer whale, fireweed, frog and owl). His grandfather, Chief La’aas (William George Jeffrey), of the Tsimshian Nation at Port Simpson, first inspired Rupert to begin carving at the age of eleven. As a teen, Rupert was taught more in-depth, detail carving techniques from Jim Charlie, Master Carver of the Coast Salish territory. Practising his knowledge of carving, Rupert had the privilege to teach alongside Mass Ga Boo who taught various organizations and schools carving techniques in Kamloops.
Rupert has beautifully expressed significance of the details on this Welcome Pole as follows. This is a story of love, of journeys and of clanship.
Rupert has beautifully expressed significance of the details on this Welcome Pole as follows. This is a story of love, of journeys and of clanship.
The Hat
The shape of hat represents the Chieftainship of the high-ranking Chiefs of the Skeena River and their authority to hold stories of ancient history. The copper color indicates royalty or a high-ranking dignitary.
The Face
The style of the face is of a supernatural creature. The oval shape of the face and the cheek bones going up to the forehead represents the supernatural; a person transforming into a human. The tribal color turquoise of the eyes represents safe passage when passing from one tribe to another tribe.
The Brace / Head Band / Fish Pack
The black painted brace extends down from the hat, past the shoulders to the biceps allowing for careful distribution of the weight of the fish pack. The Skeena fish pack, painted in brown, is distinguished by the way it is sewn and that it can carry well more than 454 kilograms of weight. The order the backpack is packed is important to keep contents from rotting. In the bottom of the pack are the three varieties of large fish: Skeena jack spring salmon, kispiox rainbow trout, steelhead and coho. On top are the smoked Skeena ooligan (size is like a sardine but six to eight inches in length). These are rare fish where all parts can be consumed. They are harvested in a span of only three to nine days at the end of winter just after the snow melts. Located in the top space of the backpack are seeds to plant and preserved berries. Inside the left side pouch is a bible written in the Gitxsan language. The right hand pouches hold herbs and plant species of medicines for distinguished purposes.
Shoulder Designs / Arm Bands Regalia
The red designs of the shoulders and arms represent muscles. The arm bands are black that give significance to one of the Gitxsan Tribes. The copper lining of the armbands represents royalty.
Fish Bonker
Located under right arm, positioned facing upward is a fish bonker with a killer whale design. The purpose of this tool is to take the life of a fish once is has been caught. It is facing upward to indicate requesting permission to fish in the territory they are traveling in and to show respect. A bonker held in a downward position indicates the fishing has already taken place.
The Camus Flower at the Neck and Under the Arm
The Camus flower carries many meaningful and spiritual healing powers. All parts of the flower,
stem and roots included, are used in herbal remedies. The green painted frog faces and feet in the leaves represent the Frog Territory which is located along the Pacific Ocean. Carrying these important flowers under the arm indicates these are some of the items that will be gifted to a very high-status dignitary in communities along his travels. It is customary to gift items, such as these medicinal flowers, and receive gifted items in return to help travellers along their journey.
Paddle
The position of the hands at the top of the paddle with the handle at the bottom indicates a request for permission to dock on the shoreline. The paddle represents negotiations that take place while travellers are out on the water awaiting to go to shore. The two designs on the paddle are the killer whale representing the Carver’s clan. The wolf represents the clan of Carver’s fiancé and grandfather. The killer whale is looking down and asking to speak to the wolf with the intention to marry. The shape of the killer whale indicates it is dancing to get the attention of the chief to show the journey the killer whale took to get to the wolf clan. This dance also shows endurance and strength.
The Fish
The fish are the gifts given to different tribes visited along the journey at each of their destination stops. The tribes visited give gifts in return for the fish to aid travellers in the their journey. The fish have been preserved by smoking and salting. The three types of Skeena fish; starting from the bottom: coho, sockeye and ansyspiox (as previously known as Kispiox).
Angel
On the totem’s left bicep and hand is a small human figure, with wings like an angel, touching
the paddle. This represents the strong connection to our ancestors, the honoring the loss of all
little ones and the faith, prayer and strength to journey on in unity of family values.
Apron Regalia
On the left side hip of the apron, below the Angel and near the fish, is the design of fireweed.
The fireweed represents the clan house of the Carver. Also on the apron are the chieftain ships
of the Skeena River of the headwaters. The jade green and turquoise colour represents carrier
of medicines. On the back of the apron is the killer whale. Having these two symbols, fireweed
and killer whales, located close together indicate that the travellers are willing to stop their
journey to assist someone in need.
Leggings Regalia
Located below the apron are the leggings. The leggings distinguish the clanship of a person. The leggings have a bear claw representing a bear dancer and, in this instance, represents one child that has journeyed on. The heart inside the claw represents a love a dad has for his son. The dad is of the killer whale clan. The mom is of the bear clan. The son has taught his dad the bear dance. Learning the dance of another nation (clan) is a high custom.
The shape of hat represents the Chieftainship of the high-ranking Chiefs of the Skeena River and their authority to hold stories of ancient history. The copper color indicates royalty or a high-ranking dignitary.
The Face
The style of the face is of a supernatural creature. The oval shape of the face and the cheek bones going up to the forehead represents the supernatural; a person transforming into a human. The tribal color turquoise of the eyes represents safe passage when passing from one tribe to another tribe.
The Brace / Head Band / Fish Pack
The black painted brace extends down from the hat, past the shoulders to the biceps allowing for careful distribution of the weight of the fish pack. The Skeena fish pack, painted in brown, is distinguished by the way it is sewn and that it can carry well more than 454 kilograms of weight. The order the backpack is packed is important to keep contents from rotting. In the bottom of the pack are the three varieties of large fish: Skeena jack spring salmon, kispiox rainbow trout, steelhead and coho. On top are the smoked Skeena ooligan (size is like a sardine but six to eight inches in length). These are rare fish where all parts can be consumed. They are harvested in a span of only three to nine days at the end of winter just after the snow melts. Located in the top space of the backpack are seeds to plant and preserved berries. Inside the left side pouch is a bible written in the Gitxsan language. The right hand pouches hold herbs and plant species of medicines for distinguished purposes.
Shoulder Designs / Arm Bands Regalia
The red designs of the shoulders and arms represent muscles. The arm bands are black that give significance to one of the Gitxsan Tribes. The copper lining of the armbands represents royalty.
Fish Bonker
Located under right arm, positioned facing upward is a fish bonker with a killer whale design. The purpose of this tool is to take the life of a fish once is has been caught. It is facing upward to indicate requesting permission to fish in the territory they are traveling in and to show respect. A bonker held in a downward position indicates the fishing has already taken place.
The Camus Flower at the Neck and Under the Arm
The Camus flower carries many meaningful and spiritual healing powers. All parts of the flower,
stem and roots included, are used in herbal remedies. The green painted frog faces and feet in the leaves represent the Frog Territory which is located along the Pacific Ocean. Carrying these important flowers under the arm indicates these are some of the items that will be gifted to a very high-status dignitary in communities along his travels. It is customary to gift items, such as these medicinal flowers, and receive gifted items in return to help travellers along their journey.
Paddle
The position of the hands at the top of the paddle with the handle at the bottom indicates a request for permission to dock on the shoreline. The paddle represents negotiations that take place while travellers are out on the water awaiting to go to shore. The two designs on the paddle are the killer whale representing the Carver’s clan. The wolf represents the clan of Carver’s fiancé and grandfather. The killer whale is looking down and asking to speak to the wolf with the intention to marry. The shape of the killer whale indicates it is dancing to get the attention of the chief to show the journey the killer whale took to get to the wolf clan. This dance also shows endurance and strength.
The Fish
The fish are the gifts given to different tribes visited along the journey at each of their destination stops. The tribes visited give gifts in return for the fish to aid travellers in the their journey. The fish have been preserved by smoking and salting. The three types of Skeena fish; starting from the bottom: coho, sockeye and ansyspiox (as previously known as Kispiox).
Angel
On the totem’s left bicep and hand is a small human figure, with wings like an angel, touching
the paddle. This represents the strong connection to our ancestors, the honoring the loss of all
little ones and the faith, prayer and strength to journey on in unity of family values.
Apron Regalia
On the left side hip of the apron, below the Angel and near the fish, is the design of fireweed.
The fireweed represents the clan house of the Carver. Also on the apron are the chieftain ships
of the Skeena River of the headwaters. The jade green and turquoise colour represents carrier
of medicines. On the back of the apron is the killer whale. Having these two symbols, fireweed
and killer whales, located close together indicate that the travellers are willing to stop their
journey to assist someone in need.
Leggings Regalia
Located below the apron are the leggings. The leggings distinguish the clanship of a person. The leggings have a bear claw representing a bear dancer and, in this instance, represents one child that has journeyed on. The heart inside the claw represents a love a dad has for his son. The dad is of the killer whale clan. The mom is of the bear clan. The son has taught his dad the bear dance. Learning the dance of another nation (clan) is a high custom.
Welcome Pole Dedication Ceremony - March 2, 2024
Photos by Esquimalt Photo Club