54 
some time after he had relinquished in her favour the name of Larahnitz, 
to take those of Hlengwah and Nseqt; and also Nees-kamalsB, one of his 
uncles. The circumstances of this event, as related by Larahnitz, who 
was himself responsible for the undertaking, may be recorded here, as they 
give an insight into some of the social processes involved in the erection 
of totem poles: 
“I asked Harhpegwawtu (of the Fireweed phratry at Gitsegyukla) to cut a pole, 
which he did, for S70. He got one half a mile from the river, about a mile and a half below 
Kitwanga, and towed it up here. When it was landed, I spent $300; some of my family 
helped me. Harhpegwawtu then carved it, and I gave him in payment one horse (valued 
at $110) and $80 in cash. After it was carved, the people of Gitsegyukla, Gitwinlkul, 
and Kitwanga, also some white people, hauled it up. So far I had spent about $600. 
Tom Maw (Moore?), a white man, cut two poles (to be used as supports), for $20. I spent 
about $150 on food for the guests (food either used or distributed at the ceremony). I 
gave away, among other things, thirty-five boxes of pilot bread. The pole was erected 
in October. The final event cost about $800 to me and $500, besides, to my family.” 
Even if not quite accurate — and they are likely to be — these details 
show the type of proceedings that accompany like ceremonial functions 
elsewhere. Much of the expenditure is not in compensation for actual 
labour, but in conformity with a traditional code of liberality that brings 
public recognition and high standing to the chiefs. 
The section of the old pole of Njeqt (Tongue-licked),^ now at the 
National Museum of Canada, was cut out of the complete pole after it 
had fallen, many years ago. A feast was given on that occasion, ^ and the 
present owner stood on top of the figure of Naeqt, as he “made himself a 
chief (o’yerh)” and assumed the name of Larahnitz. 
Some years before this event, the chief of the household (presumably 
the present Larahnitz) summoned a carver for another totem pole — Tsesu, 
of the Wolf phratry at Gitwinlkul. The following expenditures were in- 
curred for its carving and erection one hundred Hudson’s Bay Company 
blankets at S3 each; and, besides, calico and money. Some of Larahnitz’ 
relatives contributed goods, money, and property. It was a very expen- 
sive memorial. When the pole was erected, from $400 to $500 were spent 
on food distributed to the guests, and between $1,000 and $2,000 worth of 
goods. The neighbouring tribes were ail invited for the event. 
The poles inside Larahnitz’ house were carved about 1920, and were 
erected at the same festival as the Qansil pole. The house itself is much 
older, since three household chiefs died in it. The roof beams which the 
poles support are believed to be about a hundred years old. Sixty dollars 
were paid to Wallace Campbell, a white man, for the purchase of the poles, 
and $100 for the carving. 
CARVERS 
The Man-crushing-log ( Qcenugyet ) totem pole, now under cover on 
the ground, was carved by Yarhyaq, of the Larhsail phratry at Gitwinlkul.'* 
‘Plate VIII, fiigurc 3. 
*Frora the notes it is not quite clear whether or not Jim Larahnitj meant to .say that he hail himself erected 
the complete pole. Yet, as ho gave the n ime of the carver it .seems that the polo was carv'ed during his lifetime. 
•.\ccording to Jim Larahnitz. 
carver of the same phratry, as in this instance, may not he employed. This rule is meant to be without 
exception. When this is actually done for .some imperious reason, the work has to be placed in charge of a chief of 
a different phratry, who then relegates his charge to another. We do not know whether this happened liere. The 
only explanation given hero was that “though of the same phratry, this carver belonged to a family not related to 
that of Larahnitz.” 
