Howkan Eagle and Gratitude Totem

While traveling through Southeast Alaska, I found myself drawn to the totem poles of Hydaburg Totem Park. Among them was the Howkan Eagle, a carving whose presence seemed impossible to ignore.

At the time, I admired its craftsmanship and beauty without fully understanding its story. Later, while reading Proud Raven and Panting Wolf, I discovered that this eagle carried a history and significance far deeper than I had realized. What had first appeared to be a remarkable carving became a connection to the people, traditions, and stories that shaped this place.

The Eagle and Chief Skoolka Gratitude poles were moved from the Haida village of Howkan to Hydaburg Totem Park, where they were preserved through the Civilian Conservation Corps restoration project led by master carver John Wallace.

One of the gifts of travel is that understanding often arrives in layers.

Sometimes you see beauty first.

The story comes later.