eagle totem

I can get a little overcome with emotion sometimes. I guess I kind of wear my heart on my sleeve, so to speak. Not to mention that I come from a family of criers–tears of the good sort. We all cry when we’re happy. The tears just flow, wether we’re hysterically laughing or just plain old overcome with joy.

I was moved to tears in a big way this weekend, tears that I don’t think I’ll ever forget. We were able to take part in a Tlingit totem pole-raising ceremony at the university campus, and it was powerful beyond words.  The history of the land was alive and present in the warm spring day. You could feel the song of the ages ringing through the air as the drums were played and the dances performed. Even the kids were entranced by the beauty in the ancient ritual.

The Tlingit society is divided between two moieties: Eagle and Raven.  The University of Alaska Southeast has been working to bring an Eagle totem to the campus for years now, to balance the Raven pole that has been in place since 1993.

The totem sat in the spot is was carved until the ritual began and then the 400 year old cedar surfed through the crowd until it reached it’s perch.  Brian and the boys were part of the massive rope line to hoist the pole upright. Two bald eagles gave their blessing as they danced through the sky, nearly kissing the regal pole as they soared by; wowing the crowd, and bringing yet more tears and many cheers to commemorate the occasion.  It was quite spectacular.

The young carvers were really amazing.  Two brothers from Prince of Wales, they really seemed to be striving to keep their culture and history in place for the next generations.  It was exciting to see the youth involved, from the university level on down to the wee line pullers.

Ok, for fear that I’m turning into a newspaper reporter, I will be quiet now and just share a few more pictures of the great day. Brian and I both took a whole lot of photos; I’ve created a flickr set for mine here, and when Brian uploads his, I’ll share them with you.