Meet Native American Master Carver Jewell James ---> Southern Ute Tribe Totem Pole Dedication!!

Maybe you have seen a totem pole at some moment in your life, but have you ever wondered what is the significance of the totem pole and their existence here on Mother Earth? I know I have wondered but never really took the time to understand what the meaning of a totem pole is, and why indigenous cultures across the world have a such a deep connection to a wooden pole.

^{"Bring Lolita Back," Seminole Tribune}

Let me share with you my personal experience of meeting a Master Carver and the history of a North Native American tribe from Washington State, the Lummi Nation Native American Tribe who have been making totem poles for generations. From their website the Lummi Nation describe themselves as:

We are the Lhaq'temish, The Lummi People. We are the original inhabitants of Washington's northernmost coast and southern British Columbia. For thousands of years, we worked, struggled and celebrated life on the shores and waters of Puget Sound.

We are fishers, hunters, gatherers, and harvesters of nature's abundance. We envision our homeland as a place where we enjoy an abundant, safe, and healthy life in mind, body, society, environment, space, time and spirituality; where all are encouraged to succeed and none are left behind.

I had the honor of meeting Jewell James at the Southern Ute Tribe during a dedication of a totem pole he and his family created for the Southern Ute. The experience was amazing, but first let me share with you a few things about Jewell James.

^{Jewell James, Sacred Sea}

According to Native Voices, Jewell James is a master carver, leader, ecologist, preservationist, and artist, they go on to say:

Jewell James championed salmon preservation, elevating the Lummi into a leadership role in efforts to protect salmon habitat. In 1986, he led the Lummi Nation’s Treaty Protection Task Force’s campaign to preserve the fishing rights and treaties for native peoples.

James helped preserve traditional ceremonial sites in western Washington both for the Lummi and other native cultural sites across the United States. James fought to preserve ancient cedar forests and was an instrument in the 1984 Washington State Wilderness Act that extended protection to more than one million acres of national forest lands across the state, including some 118,000 acres of the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest in the North Cascade Mountain Range of western Washington. This was the forest from which Jewell James selected the majestic western red cedar he crafted into a healing totem.

This is only some of the history about this amazing Native American hero, at least in my book he is and this is only touching the surface of this man's amazing artistic talent.

^{9/11 Totem Pole, Partnership With Native Americans}

The Canadian Encyclopedia describes totem poles or a monumental pole as:

A tall structure carved out of cedar wood, created by Northwest Coast Indigenous peoples to serve variously as a signboard, genealogical record and memorial. The totem pole or monumental pole ... showcases a nation’s, family’s or individual’s history and displays their rights to certain territories, songs, dances and other aspects of their culture. Totem poles can also be used as memorials and to tell stories. Carved of large, straight red cedar and painted vibrant colors, the totem pole is representative of both coastal Indigenous culture and Northwest Coast Indigenous Art.

This would explain the significance of a totem pole to many indigenous tribes and the importance to many cultures belonging to native people in North America.

^{Jewell James Carving, Indie Go Go}

Brother James forest preservation work inspired him to start carving totem poles to honor the victims of September 11, 2001. The completed Healing Poles Project is comprised of 5 poles raised at the three terrorist attack sites where planes crashed on 9/11.

In many of his totem pole dedication ceremonies he is known to say: “Native people know what grief is. We know what pain and suffering is. But we also know how to put our arms around one another.”

The Southern Ute Tribe is one of the tribal bands in the main area of the four corners located in Ignacio, Colorado. If you'd like to know more about the tribe and museum where the totem pole is being displayed, take a look at my post Come Along With Me ---> To The Southern Ute Tribe North Native American Museum!!. During my month long visit I was fortunate to have seen the totem pole dedication, and shortly after the reason for the totem pole was announced in The Southern Ute Drum newspaper SUM welcomes the sacred Bears Ears Totem Pole.

The idea is that all things sacred will be protected including Native American lands and the hope is that the totem pole will be a form of protection for the Southern Ute Tribe reservation.

When I first entered and saw the beautiful totem pole, one cannot help but admire the artistry and loving intention. To think that this came from one piece of sacred cedar wood is just amazing to me.

^{Photo taken by @eaglespirit}

It was explained that the symbols on the totem pole are sacred symbols to the Lummi tribe, a song is sung in preparation and during the making of the totem pole.

^{Photo taken by @eaglespirit}

The totem pole was placed in the sacred center of the entranceway where everyone will get a chance to feel the power of protection, prayers, and peace. If you look at my photos from the Souther Ute Museum the totem pole sits directly under the skylight window, this is a special sight to see and feel in person.

^{Photo taken by @eaglespirit}

The detail and artistry that goes into these projects takes a special clan, the clan must always stay pure in thought and deed as this will then transfer to the totem pole. The clan works together as one unit from the eldest to the youngest. Song, prayer, and ceremony is an every day occurrence when creating a masterpiece of this magnitude.

^{Photo taken by @eaglespirit}

Mother Earth and the cedar tree is thanked for the honor of allowing the tree to be made into a totem pole, the tree is then replaced and another ceremony takes place. Throughout the entire process a thanksgiving is given and the human body is cleared of all negativity. This is essential in all things sacred.

^{Photo taken by @eaglespirit}

One of the best blessings I receive is when I get to meet an amazing person such as Jewell James. There are no words to describe these teachers that come into my life. Their leadership, love, artistry, and kindness are beyond words. The feeling is that I walk amongst the Greats, and I'm blessed in all I do. Never forget that everything is for a reason, and if you have the opportunity in your life to meet your Greats then do not hesitate. You will never regret making the decision.

After the ceremony, we all gathered together for a fine feast hosted by the museum and we were able to spend more time with the James family. We even had the privilege to hear songs sung by the James family. The first song shared is a song that is sung while developing the carving for a certain location and the second song is during the carving process.

^{Jewell James Playing The Flute}

The beauty of the songs and stories James shared with me were lovely. He is one of those people that you never forget. I couldn't help but include his flute playing above since it is quite special.

^{Jewell James Totem Pole Initiative Explained}

The totem pole initiative by Jewell James is touching and he speaks our truth perfectly. I speak these words quite often, but to have a leader and elder say them makes truth ring out to all.

I dedicate this post to my dear brother James and wish him much love on his journey. I sent out the following Hopi blessing to him:

Let me walk in beauty, and make my eyes ever behold the red and purple sunset
Make my hands respect the things you have made and my ears sharp to hear your voice.
Make me wise so that I may understand the things you have taught our people.
Let me learn the lessons you have hidden in every leaf and rock.
I seek the strength, not to be greater than my brother/sister but to fight my greatest enemy- myself
Make me always ready to come to you with clean hands and straight eyes
So that all that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.
We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.
ShneppeTEWI (Blessings)

Yours,

Eagle Spirit

Greetings,

Thank you for stopping by to read my blog. I’m a First Nation member of the Hopi & Apache Native American tribes, Medicine woman in-training, first time blogger since November 2017, (right here on Steemit), paralegal, researcher, and writer based in the Mountains of Colorado, USA. I work closely with fellow planktons and minnows in a few groups by helping them adjust to Steemit and curate quality content. I’m especially interested in finding others who love natural medicine originating from ancient practices, gold and silver, energy work, and the spirit world. Additionally, I'm the creator of #MedicineCardMonday, so if you are interested in receiving a Native American blessing stop by my blog every Monday, or just say hello!

See you soon, @eaglespirit