New healing totem pole dedicated at the Alaska Native Heritage Center
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - The Alaska Native Heritage Center is now home to the first healing totem pole dedicated to the U.S. Indian Boarding School survivors, descendants, and attendees who have never made it home. The pole, the Alaska Native Heritage Center said, represents the healing journey for Alaska Natives and Native Americans.
It is a place, head carver of the pole, TJ Young said, “Where people could come and not be a memorial, but some sort of remembrance.”
Young spent three months carving the pole. He said the pole represents a theme of having your foot inside two cultures.
“Some of the figures are depicted in human form, and some are dictated in animal form,” Young said. “So they’re kind of dancing that fine line between both worlds, which is what the school children had to do. And the parents had to go through.”
On Oct. 22, the center rose the totem pole. The rising was then followed by a potlatch and speeches and dances.
B.J. Bains-Jordan, who attended the event, said she believes that the pole will help people heal. Bains-Jordan said she attended a boarding school growing up, but says she had a good experience. However, she said, some of her friends attended other boarding schools and are still healing.
“I want to be there to let them know that I care. And that I hope their hearts and souls can heal,” Bains-Jordan said.
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