Tsungani Totem Pole

On October 25, 1999 the Tsungani Totem Pole carved by Fearon Smith, Jr. was officially dedicated and placed on permanent display in the First Floor Lobby of the Central Washington University Library. If you visit our campus please feel free to spend a few moments enjoying "our" totem pole. The CWU library is very proud to have this moving and lovely piece of sacred art held in our library space. Further information on Tsungani follows.

THE CARVER

Tsungani, Fearon Smith Jr. or Smitty, is the younger brother of Don (Lelooska) and Patty Fawn. Tsungani began his carving as a very young man and today his work is in collections worldwide. He particularly enjoys the creation of shaman figures and masks based on historical pieces. With Lelooska, Tsungani has studied the stories and legends of the Northwest Coast and his carving is a retelling of those stories. Smitty has been one of the main dancers in the family's living history program "Masks, Myths and Magic." Early in his career, Smitty was selected to perform in the Sewid potlatch, wearing the mask that Don had carved for the occasion. It was at this potlatch that the family was formally adopted by Chief Sewid into the Kwakuitl tribe of Vancouver Island, British Colombia. Smitty is married to Julia Stoll and they have two daughters, Mariah and Lottie. After Don's death in 1996, Smitty assumed the leadership role in the family and the title of Chief Tsungani. He is now the storyteller in the family's presentations.

THE FAMILY

The Lelooska family has been preserving the rich artistic and cultural traditions of the Pacific Northwest costal tribes for more than 50 years. Highly valued by collectors, their carvings and jewelry are recognized internationally for outstanding craftsmanship and beauty. Through their living-history presentations, the rich cultural heritage of the Northwest "Cedar and Salmon" peoples comes alive. Each year, more than 25,000 visitors experience the magic as the myths and masks are brought to life through traditional song and dance in the smoke and firelight of the ceremonial long house. The Lelooska Gallery is located at: 165 Mervin Village Road, Ariel, WA 98603. Telehone: 360-225-8828.

THE POLE

The main characters on the Central Washington University pole (starting from the top) are three Watchmen, Raven, Salmon Woman, and Bear. The pole is located in the Library on the main campus in Ellensburg.

WATCHMEN are usually ancestral characters representing the great chiefs of the family. They are located on the top wearing tall red and black striped hats.

RAVEN is the principle character on the pole. Raven is significant in Northwest mythology because he is believed to have discovered mankind. A chieftian figure rests between the wings of Raven.

SALMON WOMAN is important to Northwest tribes because she brought the salmon to the rivers and streams. She is holding a large salmon. Her hair represents water with salmon swimming in the stream.

BEAR is a traditional figure of Northwest mythology. In the time of myths, animals had both a human and animal form. In one story, a young woman meets a handsome prince. After they are married, the young woman discovers that the prince is actually a grizzly bear in its human form. Fearing for her safety, the woman's family leaves to rescue her. Rather than fighting with the family, the grizzly bear surrenders himself. He gives the family his songs, dances and privileges. The grizzly bear then allows himself to be killed. Upside-down and between his claws is the Bear's bride.

(Tsungani biography prepared courtesy of Karen Norris.)