Jewell James, master carver of the Lummi Nation, near
Bellingham, said the process of carving has been “healing” for him.
James, who began studying under master carvers in 1992, has lost
two of his children and a brother. Today, a totem pole he created
to honor veterans was unveiled at the Washington State Veteran’s
Home at Retsil. But is it really that simple? Can one look at a
piece of art and feel the burden of wounds and worries decades old
lifted away?
According to Richard Shreder, who took over as superintendent of
the Veterans Home this week, James’ “Healing Pole” has already had
a profound influence on residents.
“As soon as it went up, residents were walking up to it, touching
it, asking questions about it,” Shreder said. “It was
powerful.”
Here’s the story.
A new piece of art work is getting a lot of attention from Retsil
veterans.
By Chris Henry
chenry@kitsapsun.com
No sooner was the “Healing Pole” erected in the courtyard of the
Washington State Veteran’s Home at Retsil Monday, than residents
began to walk (or wheel) up to it, touch it, talk about it.
The 16-foot totem pole, a gift from the Lummi Nation, honors all
veterans and especially Native Americans who have served in the
military. A dedication and unveiling of the pole took place
Thursday, Flag Day, at the home, with dignitaries and many
veterans, Indian and non-Indian, in attendance.
The totem pole, made of a single cedar log, shows a person enfolded
beneath the wings of a fiercely protective eagle.
“It shows an eagle lifting the spirit of a veteran,” said master
carver Jewell Praying Wolf James, a member of the Lummi Nation and
principal artist of the House of Tears Carvers, which created the
piece.
James, who began carving in 1992, formed House of Tears with
several other Lummi carvers. All but him are now deceased. House of
Tears has made Healing Poles and Honoring Poles that are on display
throughout the country, including one each near the site of the
World Trade Center, the Pentagon and Shakesville, Pa., where flight
93 went down on September 11th.
”For me, I got into totem pole carving because it was a process of
healing for me,” said James, who has lost several members of his
family, including two children and a brother.
While James did the design and most of the carving on the Healing
Pole, he got a lot of help from youngsters both within and outside
the Lummi Nation, near Bellingham. Young people interested in
learning the ancient art helped peel the bark, apply the bold
colors and even do some of the simpler carving, James said.
“We are absolutely overwhelmed. Words are inadequate to describe
how we feel to receive this wonderful gift,” said John Lee,
director of the Washington State Department of Veteran’s Affairs,
after the totem pole was unveiled by James and “First Gentleman”
Mike Gregoire.
“It serves as a beautiful symbol of our respect for military
veterans of all creeds and nationalities,” said Gregoire, who
attended the ceremony on behalf of his wife, Gov. Chris Gregoire.
“No one performs a higher service than those who protect our
freedom and democracy. Thank you for honoring them.”
“It’s a beautiful piece of work,” said Suquamish Tribal Chairman
Leonard Forsman. “I think it’s going to help with the people who
are here today and the people who will be coming here in the
future.”
While the Healing Pole is dedicated to all veterans, Native
American vets got special recognition at the ceremony. Evelyn
Jefferson, Chairwoman of the Lummi Nation noted that ever since
World War I, a significant percentage of Native Americans have
joined the armed services. More than 12,000 fought in “the war to
end all wars,” said Jefferson, even though they did not have the
rights of citizenship at that time.
By 1942, at least 90 percent of all healthy male Native Americans,
age 21 to 44, had registered for military service. Had an equal
percentage of the non-Indian population joined, there would have
been no need for the draft at that time, Jefferson said.
The day Pearl Harbor was bombed, there were 5,000 Native Americans
in the military. By war’s end, that number had jumped to 44,521.
During the Vietnam War, 90 percent of the roughly 50,000 Native
Americans in uniform were volunteers.
Veterans at the ceremony were clearly moved by the piece.
“As a veteran, a woman vet from Vietnam, I want to thank all of you
for bringing us together,” said resident Trish Hurley, who is not
Native American. “I think it was a long due honor for the different
tribes who participated in all the wars, conflicts and services. I
think it’s a stepping stone bringing us closer.”
Performing at the dedication were the Swan Dancers, young members
of the Lummi Nation’s Swan Clan, led by their grandparents Jack and
Beverly Cagey.
At the close of the ceremony, Taps was played and a contingent of
Native Americans from various wars and branches of the service
retired the colors, with Cagey drumming and singing a song that was
at once sad and comforting.
