Ketchikan in Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska — Northwest (North America)

Symbols and Society

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 2, 2026

1. Symbols and Society Marker

Inscription.
Symbols and customs glue society together. Potlatch ceremonies reinforce social structure through storytelling and oratory, totem pole raising, feasting and gift giving. Potlatches are symbols of wealth, often lasting for days. They can take years to prepare and include participants many days travel away.

Strict Structure
Tlingit and Haida people are each divided into two moieties, Raven and Eagle, in some places it is Raven and Wolf. Marrying within one’s own moiety is forbidden. Children are born into their mother’s moiety. The relatives of one’s mother determine much about how the children are raised. According to custom, young men were sent to their mother’s brother to be raised and trained in the ways of their moiety. Girls stayed with their mothers while their aunts helped raise and train them.

Symbols of Substance
Moieties consist of clans. Clans are divided into houses and all have crest symbols. These symbols are placed on clan houses, totem poles, boats and ceremonial regalia. They document the origin and history of the clan.

Potlatch
Potlatches repay debts, honor relatives or celebrate an important life transition

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such as a birth, death, marriage or house building. They last for days and include feasting, speeches, singing and dancing.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Indigenous Peoples and Communities.

Location. 55° 25.183′ N, 131° 46.404′ W. Marker is in Ketchikan, Alaska, in Ketchikan Gateway Borough. It can be reached from Totem Bight Road, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located in Totem Bight State Historical Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9883 North Tongass Highway, Ketchikan AK 99901, 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,

in the Inside Passage,

on the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in 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 story of Totem Bight (a few steps

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 2, 2026

2. Symbols and Society Marker

from this marker); What is Totem Bight? (a few steps from this marker); A People’s Distinctive Art (within shouting distance of this marker); Harvest from the Sea (within shouting distance of this marker); Understanding Totem Poles (within shouting distance of this marker); Continuing the Cycle (within shouting distance of this marker); Preserving the Past (within shouting distance of this marker); Aging in the Elements (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ketchikan.

More about this marker. Two pictures on the marker depict natives during a Potlatch celebration.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 2, 2026

3. Symbols and Society Marker

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 2, 2026

4. Symbols and Society Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 15, 2026, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 15, 2026, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.