144 
ORIGIN 
There is no doubt that the name and concept of the Single-fire weed 
( CilhcEst ) are borrowed from the neighbouring Gitksan. The name of 
Gilhcest itself is Gitksan, and the Fireweed is not only a phratric name 
among them (Gisrcest, People-Fire weed), but it is a special crest of a few 
families within the Fireweed phratry. The possession of the Single-fire- 
weed, an exclusive emblem, in the family of Beenee indicates that he must 
in some way be related to Harhpegwawtu, of Gitsegyukla, who is the 
owner of the Single-fireweed in the nearest Gitksan village, down the 
Skeena. Harhpegwawtu himself is said to have acquired the emblem 
from Nees-haiwjerhs, of Kitsalasd The mythic origin of this emblem is 
said to go back to a vision of Nees-haiwserhs. 
The conflict of opinion as to the identity of the Eagle and the Grouse 
is due to the acknowledged right to use both crests in this family, though 
they originally belonged to different owners. The Grouse, among the 
Gitksan, is a Fireweed crest; and the Eagle is the principal crest in the 
Eagle phratry. The inception of this crest, be it the Grouse or the Eagle, 
is probably Gitksan. 
The Beaver, among the Tsimsyan, is the property of an Eagle clan 
represented at Gitsemrselem and Kitsalas, near the canyon of the Skeena. 
But its semi-independent diffusion outside extends farther south than the 
Eagle, and may have reached Hagwelget from other tribes south of the 
Tsimsyan. 
This pole formerly stood in front of a salmon smoke-house, the name 
of which was the OwPs house ( Mestseeyerh ). Its front was decorated with 
a large carving and painting representing the Owl; the entrance was 
through the Owl’s beak; and the wings of the bird were painted across the 
house front.® The Owl, like the Fireweed, is a familiar crest of the Fire- 
weed families, among the neighbouring Gitksan. 
FUNCTION 
Beenee was responsible for the erection of this pole, according to most 
informants®. According to Mrs. Donald Grey, it was erected in com- 
memoration of Beenee by a successor. It is one of the two oldest poles of 
Hagwelget; it was already standing at the time when the Western Union 
Telegraph Line was being constructed through the country (1866).^ 
CARVERS 
Samalee,® of Hagwelget, carved the Eagle (or the Grouse) at the top 
of the pole; and Ahyewis® carved the Beaver. 
^Cf. Tke poles of Harhpegwawtu, of OUsegyuhla, p. 94. 
^According to another statement obtained by D. Jcnness, “formerly there was a representation of an Owl pro- 
truding outwards about two-thirda up the pole. But this has fallen off. ” 
» According to Mrs. Donald Grey it has stood about fifty years. 
•According to Felix George, William Chicken, Moose-skin-Johny, and Old Sam, (D. Jennes.*!). 
•According to information obtained by D. Jenness. 
•Presumably ’Arh'yawas, of the family of Gitem-raldo (Larhsail phratry), of Gitenmaks, now Hazelton. 
