will notice a number of Native American totem poles standing in front of the museum/gift shop. Once totem pole in particular has a small plaque next to it that describes it and reads:
15' CHIEF SHAIK TOTEM POLE
Sometimes called the Raven Totem, this pole is surmounted by the Raven Creator. The Raven is credited with bringing light into the world-the sun and moon.
The Box the raven is sitting upon is the Chief's Box supposedly possessing spiritual power. Below is the young Raven, the Creator of Man.
On the front of the young Raven is the daughter of the Creator and mother of the young Creator.
The next figure is the Frog and indicates membership in the Frog Clan, a subclan of the Raven Clan.
At the bottom of the pole is the Indian Atlas or Hi-ya-shon-a-gu who according to Indian legend, holds up the earth. She was the first mother of the Raven before his reincarnation.
This pole was covered by Sam Williams, Bella Bella and Nootka Indian.
The gift shop sells a small-scale 20" version of this totem pole for $345.00.