Daily Archives: 9 June 2022

Full Circle Totem

The 360 degree totem pole in Juneau; Photo credit:Lisa Phu/Alaska Beacon

The first 360 degree totem pole in Alaska was dedicated on Wednesday, June 8. The pole is 22′ tall, and 4′ wide at the base. It is between 7-8 feet across at the raven and eagle.

The totem was erected at the Sealaska Heritage Institute in Juneau, and is only the fourth of its kind in the Pacific Northwest. Carved out of a red cedar log, by Haida artist Sgwaayaans (TJ Young), his brother Gidaawaan (Joe Young) as well as several other carvers. The totem pole represents the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian cultures.