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of the same name, the local head-chief of the clan. It was erected about 
forty-five years ago, according to Maggie Wells, the present Sqaysen. It 
fell in 1926. A recent letter received by the Department of Indian Affairs 
adds the following particulars from an interested party: 
Extract from Report of Royal Canadian Mounted Police, dated November 29, 
1928 
“The follo’W'ing is a voluntary statement given me by Ada Fowler, Indian Woman of 
Kitwanga, through Interpreter Wallace Morgan. 
“Begins: 
I, Ada Fowler, widow’ of Alexander Fowier (Kilaw’a), make the following voluntary 
statement. 
About thirty-six years ago, two years after mj’^ daughter Christine was born, my 
husband, Alexander Fowler, and I commenced the usual tribal customs to erect a totem- 
pole to the memory of Kakl, the head chief of the Kitwanga band, w’ho had died three 
years previously. The three years betw een Kakl’s death and the commencement of our 
tribal customs were occupied in collecting the money for the erection of the pole (totem). 
The present Chief, Semideeks of Kitwanga, w'as in partnership with my husband, 
.\lexander Fowier, both sharing equal expenses. 
Quissilla, Salomon Harris’ younger brother, now deceased, was employed by Semideeks 
and Alexander Fowler to cut the pole and carve it. 
When the pole was ready to be erected, a big potlatch was held, to which guests were 
invited from Hazelton, Kitseguekla, Hagwelget, and Ivispiox. The expense was borne 
eoually by Semideeks and Alexander Fowier (lulawa). To complete the ceremony 
A exander Fowier paraded the village dressed in the costume of the deceased Kakl’s rank, 
which consisted of the Eagle headdress and robes. Semideeks was not present in the parade. 
At the conclusion of this i>arade Semideeks threatened Kilaw'a with a gun, and Kilawa, 
Alexander Fowier, having just turned Christian, wishing to avoid trouble, allow'ed Semi- 
deeks to assume the chieftainship. 
About the year 1907 or 1908, Semideeks cut and erected his own totem-pole in front 
of his house at Kitwanga where it still stands, and all the chiefs agreed to let Semideeks 
have the head chieftainship. Kilawa did not assist in the erection of this pole. 
About October the 20, 1928, I, Ada Fowder, noticed that the totem-pole, which I 
have a claim on, was moved to the lot at the Hudson's Bay Company’s store. I did not 
give my consent to this. I w’anted the totem-pole left in the village where it was originally 
erected. I do not want to sell it at all. I w'ant it moved back to where it was taken from. 
her 
Sgd. Ada X Fowler 
mark. 
Ends.” 
The pole of Drum-person (Gycedem^anuhl) was erected about 1914, 
according to Semedeek, by himself with the assistance of his relatives, in 
memory of the local sub-chief Sqaysen, of the Eagle clan. It was erected 
two years after his death. 
CARVERS 
The first — Bear’s-den — was carved b}’' Geesarhkyees, of the Larhsail 
phratry at Kitwanga, a younger brother of Lselt (Snake). 
The newer pole, in the back row, was carved by Qaqhl, also of the 
Larhsail phratry, of Gitwinlkul. 
The two poles are hardly comparable in quality, and many more than 
five years, indeed more than a generation, seem to have lapsed between 
them. The carving of the older pole, from the hand of a local Kitwanga 
artist, is much finer and more vigorous. It is among the best at Kitwanga. 
84628—10 
