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Nathan Jackson
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Nathan Jackson

Nathan Jackson is an internationally known Tsimshian Master Carver. I first met him when he was carving the "Honoring Those Who Give" pole for the Totem Heritage Center in Ketchikan in 1998 (see my photos of him also in this gallery at the pole raising celebration in 1999) and have visited with him and taken many photos of him since.

Nathan is one of the most delightful and photogenic people I have met on my travels to Alaska. His schock of white hair, his pixieish sense of humor, his wry smile, and his practice of whistling while he works make it almost impossible to get a bad shot of him.

Nathan lives and carves in Saxman Village. He is seen relaxing here while working with an adze in the Edwin C. Dewitt carving shed in Saxman.

Nathan's son Stephen is also a well known carver with poles at the base of the Mt. Roberts tram in Juneau, the Burke Museum in Seattle, and elsewhere.

AlaskaKetchikan TotemsNathan JacksonSaxman Village Ketchikan TotemsTotems

  • Man Wearing a Bear Hat
  • Thunderbird and Whale
  • Blackfish pole
  • Saxman Village
  • Saxman Village
  • This pole serves two purposes. First, it is a genealogical record of four house groups and serves as a memorial to them. Although not visible in this photo, an eagle at the top of the pole symbolizes the Eagle Claw House. This is followed by two beavers representing the Beaver Dam House and the Beaver Tail House. The bottom beaver seen here can be identified by the cross hatched black tail. The face at the bottom of the pole symbolizes the fourth group, the Giant Rock Oyster House.<br /> <br /> The second purpose of this pole is to tell a story - a sad story. Tricia Brown, in her guidebook of Totem Bight, refers to totem poles as "Silent Storytellers." The story behind this pole is how the Giant Rock Oyster house got its name. While searching for devilfish, the figure crouching beside the pole put his hand in a crevice and a giant devilfish grabbed it When his companions were unable to extricate him they went for help, but when they returned the tide had come in and drowned him.
  • Sun and Raven pole, Saxman Village
  • Sun and Raven pole, Saxman Village
  • Abraham Lincoln Pole
  • Seward Pole
  • Nathan Jackson
  • Totem Guard Pole
  • 1308012-051
  • Interior wall carving in Potlach Park near Ketchikan. This magnificent carving is about 10 feet tall, is located in a longhouse and was carved by Brita Alander, a female Haida Native American of the Eagle Clan. Potlach Park is a relatively new totem park. Brita carved many (most?) of the totems and other artwork at Potlach Park.
  • Carving by Brita Alander of a woman crouched next to a bentwood box. Located on the exterior of a longhouse at Potlach Park near Ketchikan.
  • Totem figure at Potlach Park near Ketchikan.
  • This ancient totem pole is on display near the entrance to the Totem Heritage Center in Ketchikan. The Totem Heritage Center is a museum operated by the City of Ketchikan. In addition to displaying ancient totems, it also offers classes in the arts and crafts of the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian cultures.
  • "Honoring Those Who Give" pole
  • "Honoring Those Who Give" Pole
  • Haida Totem Pole
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