Downtown Juneau in Juneau Borough, Alaska — Northwest (North America)

Haida Eagle • Gyáa'aang

Kootéeyaa Deiyí • Totem Pole Trail

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 25, 2024

1. Haida Eagle • Gyáa'aang Marker

Inscription.

[Totem pole effigies, top to bottom]
• CLAN MEMBER WITH HAT
• EAGLE
• FROG
• BEAVER
• BEAR

The Haida of Southeast Alaska, known as the Kaigani Haida, migrated from Haida Gwaii in Canada to Southeast Alaska in the late 17th century and settled in several different sites on Prince of Wales Island. Today they are largely concentrated in Hydaburg, Kasaan, and Craig. They brought with them their rich Northwest Coast art traditions.

DESIGNS
Totem Pole designs represent clan crests, and they are their most important symbols of their history and identity. They were acquired by ancestors in the ancient past and represent crucial encounters with animal persons and spiritual beings. Other significant recent events in clan histories are also memorialized in crests.

The Haida Eagle pole depicts a classic Eagle clan hat, the Eagle crest, Frog, Beaver, and Bear, all of which they obtained through supernatural encounters. The Haida believe that everything has a spirit, including elements of the universe such as the stars, moon, and sun.

CARVER
Warren Peele, Haida Master Artist, Hydaburg
Apprentice: Theodore

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O. Peele

Funded by the Denali Commission.

Erected by Sealaska Heritage Institute.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Arts, Letters, Music • Environment • Indigenous Peoples and Communities.

Location. 58° 17.837′ N, 134° 24.186′ W. Marker is in Juneau, Alaska, in Juneau Borough. It is in Downtown Juneau. It can be reached from South Franklin Street. Marker and totem pole are along the Juneau Harbor boardwalk. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 406 South Franklin Street, Juneau AK 99801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Alaska,

in Tlingit and Haida & Tsimshian Region.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Inside Passage,

the Pacific Rim,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Russian Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The History Around You (within shouting

Haida Eagle • Gyáa'aang Totem Pole and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 25, 2024

2. Haida Eagle • Gyáa'aang Totem Pole and Marker

Franklin St seen in distance

distance of this marker); Corner of Front & Franklin (within shouting distance of this marker); People's Wharf (within shouting distance of this marker); The Early Days (within shouting distance of this marker); Corner of Front & Seward (within shouting distance of this marker); A Capital in a Rainforest (within shouting distance of this marker); Changing South Franklin (within shouting distance of this marker); Downtown Juneau (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Juneau.

Also see . . . Sealaska Heritage Institute. (Submitted on October 2, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

Haida Eagle • Gyáa'aang Totem "Bear" Detail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 25, 2024

3. Haida Eagle • Gyáa'aang Totem "Bear" Detail

Credits. This page was last revised on October 3, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 2, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 451 times since then and 84 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 2, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.