An exceptional pole by Chief George Walkus.   With notes on the back signed by GH Raley, it illustrates that the form-line tradition was alive in at least some places during the years before Bill Holm revived it, and that George Walkus was the equal if not superior to Willie Seaweed in carving prowess, and in knowledge and use of the forms.
                  In investigating the totem poles carved in Metlakatla, and in particular the "good luck totems,"  I must first of all thank my friend Carol Torrey; without her research, photographs, scans, and information about her grandfather Eli Tait much of
this would not have been possible.   I also am indebted to C.S., S. H. and M.G. for suggestions, research, and pictures of carvings and postcards; and to Eli Tait's grand-daughter Phyllis Jackson and her husband Walter for additional information on the life of Eli Tait.   Special thanks to J.M. and M.M. for exceptional generosity of spirit.
 





                  This website has been created by Steve Akerman, a student of Northwest Coast Native art and history, and a musician.  If you would like to contact me with comments, or if you have any information on these carvers; Clyde Boyd, Sydney Campbell, the Mathers, Eli Tait, Eddie Feak; or would like to add to the biographies and family trees that are taking shape on these pages, I would love to hear from you; please use the email link provided, or you could leave a message in the guestbook.   Thanks for your interest, I hope you enjoy these carvings, and appreciate their makers, as much as I do.
                                                                             Steve Akerman
Information
                  In investigating the totem poles carved in Metlakatla, and in particular the "good luck totems,"  I must first of all thank my friend Carol Torrey; without her research, photographs, scans, and information about her grandfather Eli Tait much of
this would not have been possible.   I also am indebted to C.S., S. H. and M.G. for suggestions, research, and pictures of carvings and postcards; and to Eli Tait's grand-daughter Phyllis Jackson and her husband Walter for additional information on the life of Eli Tait.   Special thanks to J.M. and M.M. for exceptional generosity of spirit.
 





                  This website has been created by Steve Akerman, a student of Northwest Coast Native art and history, and a musician.  If you would like to contact me with comments, or if you have any information on these carvers; Clyde Boyd, Sydney Campbell, the Mathers, Eli Tait, Eddie Feak; or would like to add to the biographies and family trees that are taking shape on these pages, I would love to hear from you; please use the email link provided, or you could leave a message in the guestbook.   Thanks for your interest, I hope you enjoy these carvings, and appreciate their makers, as much as I do.
                                                                             Steve Akerman
George Walkus totem
(I'm also interested in a sub-style of Kwakiutl art, that of the Blunden Harbor/Smith Inlet area, and would be very interested in contacting relatives of Chief George Walkus and Charlie G. Walkus.)
An exceptional pole by Chief George Walkus.   With notes on the back signed by GH Raley, it illustrates that the form-line tradition was alive in at least some places during the years before Bill Holm revived it, and that George Walkus was the equal if not superior to Willie Seaweed in carving prowess, and in knowledge and use of the forms.
Credit