Wellbriety Kooteeyaa

A while back I posted pics of a Wellbriety Totem Pole that master carver Wayne Price was working on. On October 14 the pole was raised in front of SEARHC's (South East Alaska Regional Health Consortium) community health building. The pole stands as a visual sign to all who pass that healing will happen.

To raise the pole people are stationed in front of the pole with ropes attached to the pole. Once instructed to do so, they pull the ropes to raise the pole upright. Simultaneously people are behind the pole with guy wires, keeping the pole from leaning too far to either side. It's a huge pole and I'm sure it weights quite a bit, yet it is raised with only human power. Once the pole is upright and straight, several with shovels begin to throw dirt into the hole where the pole stands. The carver, Wayne Price, then gives an explanation of the pole.

Attending a pole raising is an awesome and spiritual event. I'm reminded of a spiritual event where God is truly present. Through out history symbols and imagery have always been a part of man's spiritual path. That evening we attended a celebration dinner. The dinner opened with Veterans bringing in the flag and leading the sacred hoop (symbol of the native peoples). Then an opening prayer was said followed by welcome and thank you speeches. The food (Salmon and rice) was blessed with a eloquent prayer thanking the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. I was amazed at how present God was within all the festivities. This is the 2nd pole raising celebration I had attended since being in Sitka and both times God was a part of it. At the previous pole raising celebration an elder of one of the tribes (she was either Tlinglit or Haida) sang How Great Thou Art in her native tongue. I remember my grandmother singing this song when I was little and it sent a chill down my spine to hear it in this native language. I was reminded of the verse in Revelation where we are told that through the blood of the Lamb men are redeemed for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. (Rev. 5:9)

Enjoy the pics.