Blackfish Pole, (sculpture).

Blackfish Pole, (sculpture).

Unknown (Native American), sculptor.

Unknown (Native American), sculptor. (copy after)

Blackfish Pole, (sculpture).

Carved red cedar with green, red, black and white painted figures.

Approx. H. 39 ft. 3 in.

Totem pole tells the story of the creation of Blackfish by Natsihline. A dorsal fin extends from the raven at the top of the pole. Natsihline holds Blackfish by the tail, and a human figure at bottom represents his evil brothers-in-law.

Ethnic -- Indian -- Tlingit

Mythology -- American Indian -- Natsihlane

Animal -- Fish -- Blackfish

Animal -- Bird -- Raven

Outdoor Sculpture -- Alaska -- Ketchikan

Located Totem Bight State Historical Park, North Tongass Highway, Ketchikan, Alaska

Administered by State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks, 3601 C Street, Suite 1258, P. O. Box 107001, Anchorage, Alaska 99510

Formerly administered by United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Washington, District of Columbia 1938-1959.

The original pole once stood in front of the Forested Island House. Totem Bight State Historical Park is listed with the National Register of Historic Places. In 1938, the United States Forest Service initiated a program in which Native totem poles were restored or duplicated. Native-American sculptors were hired for this work under the Civilian Conservation Corps. Ownership of the site passed from the federal government to Alaska in 1959 when Alaska became a state. IAS files include a brochure from Totem Bight and a Totem Pole Maintenance summary.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Alaska survey, 1992.

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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