A Totem Pole History: The Work of Lummi Carver Joe Hillaire

13 Schelangen Story Pole

147 13 Schelangen Story Pole Pauline Hillaire The Schelangen (Mobil/Ferndale) pole was carved for the General Petroleum Refinery in Ferndale, Washington, to represent the close relationship between the Lummi Tribe, industry, and the Ferndale community. The pole was installed at the refinery from 1954 to 1992. Restoration was undertaken under the sponsorship of the Mobil Annuitants Group, and repairs were funded by the Mobil Foundation. Restoration by Dan Thomas and Sean Siner was completed in 1994, and the pole was donated to the city by the Mobil Annuitants Group. It was installed at Ferndale Public Library from 1994 to 2011. As of 2011, the pole has been in storage, awaiting restoration and reinstallation by the city of Ferndale. This totem pole was originally intended to show the mastery of the Mobil Oil Company of years ago, but time changes everything. One of the biggest compliments my father ever received was the dignitaries’ surprise, voiced directly to him: “That Flying Horse looks 38. Joe Hillaire carving the Schelangen (sčəláŋən) pole, 1954. Photo by Mobil Annuitants Group. Reprinted with permission from Whatcom Museum of History and Art, Bellingham, Washington, image number 1995.0081.931. 148 Pauline Hillaire great, even if it was done by a canoe master.” My father always smiled so big every time he heard mention of this compliment. On one side, at the base of the pole, is a Lummi tribal crest. It consists of the serpent, say-nilh-xay (sínəɬqiʔ), a protector of the people. He is entwined around a clump of bulrushes, sə́naʔxw, symbol of productivity. The Lummi aspired to be so great that ducks would fall to the ground by the shock of the Lummi’s united voices. On the other side at the base is one of the crests of the House of Haeteluk, a man dressed in the traditional Lummi regalia. Miniature war clubs and deer hooves decorate the tunic, and the headdress is made of split eagle feathers, a symbol of humility in a great leader. He is standing on a Two-Headed Wolf. One of the heads is black and the other is brown, representing male and female (see chapter 21). The upper half of the pole is the theme of the carver, “Call of the American Indian for Equality in Industry.” In the middle are four human figures, dressed in different headdresses. On the west side is sxwaixwe (sx ̣wəýx ̣wi), the mythic mask. On the south is a man wearing the headdress of the mighty wind. On the east is the warbonnet. On the north is the headdress of humility. The four are dancing, calling to the Flying Horse, Pegasus, which was the symbol of the Mobil Oil Corporation at that time. The horse is standing on the pinnacle, looking down, and listening to the call of the Indians for equality in industry. This was the carver’s plea for his people. As a viewer, I can hear the shells, the little red cedar paddles, and the shattering sound of the clubs in rhythm with the beat of the drum and song as they introduce the flying horse above them. What a fantastic spirit. This pole is also known as the Mobil pole and the Ferndale pole, but the original name given by the carver was the Schelangen (sčəláŋən) pole. Schelangen refers to the Lummi heritage and way of life and all that must be preserved, protected, and taught. The space between the horse and the culture of the Lummi people dancing around the pole—the space is there. It’s not one of anger, it’s not one of frustration; it’s just a peaceful spot between us, and so it represents the Lummi way of life. 39. Schelangen (sčəláŋən) pole detail: the say-nilh-xay (sínəɬqiʔ), 2009. Reprinted with permission. Photo by Scott Jensen. 40. Schelangen (sčəláŋən) pole detail: potlatch dancers, 2009. Reprinted with permission . Photo by Scott Jensen. 41. Joe Hillaire and Manager Curt Cortelyou with the Schelangen (sčəláŋən) story pole at the General Petroleum Refinery, Ferndale, Washington, 1955. Photo by Jack Carver. Reprinted with permission from Whatcom Museum of History and Art, Bellingham, Washington, image number 1995.1.473. 42. Pegasus logo. Courtesy of Exxon Mobil Corporation. ...