Bainbridge welcomes tribal pole at Sound to Olympics Trail
Published 1:30 am Thursday, October 10, 2024
About 200 people gave a warm welcome to a new piece of public art Oct. 9 that will mark the start of the Sound-to-Olympics trail: a 14-foot carved cedar pole.
The totem on Bainbridge Island depicts Shweabe (shway-bay), father of Chief Sealth (known as Seattle) and a historic leader of the Suquamish tribe.
The installation was funded by the BI Parks Foundation, the city and the tribe. Artist Randi Purser carved the totem from an old-growth cedar log, with the blessing of her mentor, late legendary native carver Duane Pasco.
Purser discussed her creative process at the ceremony. Shweabe’s garments, especially the rope around his waist and woven cedar hat, feature intricate details that have never before been depicted in a Suquamish pole.
Additionally, it was Pasco who suggested that Shweabe’s face be three-dimensional. He visited Purser’s workshop to see the completed pole. Pasco was so taken with the piece that he kissed Shweabe on the lips, Purser said.
