Native Americans

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The Watchman
The watchman sits above a raven in human form at the top of the Yaadaas Crest Corner Pole in Alaska's Sitka National Historic Park. The pole is one of two totems that once stood at the exterior front corners of the Yaadaas clan house in Old Kasaan on Prince of Wales Island. The totem is believed to be a crest pole portraying the heraldic emblems of the Yaadaas clan of the Kaigani Haida.
Alaska American Indian First Nations Kaigani Haida Native American Padgett PhotoRaconteur Yaadaas bear raven totem pole watchman wood carving
The Bear
The bear is carved into the bottom portion of the Yaadaas Crest Corner Pole in Alaska's Sitka National Historic Park. The pole is one of two totems that once stood at the exterior front corners of the Yaadaas clan house in Old Kasaan on Prince of Wales Island. The totem is believed to be a crest pole portraying the heraldic emblems of the Yaadaas clan of the Kaigani Haida.
Alaska American Indian First Nations Kaigani Haida Native American Padgett PhotoRaconteur Yaadaas bear raven totem pole watchman wood carving
The Raven
The raven is carved into the center portion of the Yaadaas Crest Corner Pole in Alaska's Sitka National Historic Park. The pole is one of two totems that once stood at the exterior front corners of the Yaadaas clan house in Old Kasaan on Prince of Wales Island. The totem is believed to be a crest pole portraying the heraldic emblems of the Yaadaas clan of the Kaigani Haida.
Alaska American Indian First Nations Kaigani Haida Native American Padgett PhotoRaconteur Yaadaas bear raven totem pole watchman wood carving
Trader Legend Totem
Currently standing in Alaska's Sitka National Historic Park, the Trader Legend Totem is a replica of a totem that originally stood in the Kaigani Haida village of Sukkwan near an old foot bridge across the Indian River. This replica was carved by local Native carvers during the 1938-1942 Civilian Conservation Corps project. At the top of this pole is a figure representing a white man with curly hair and a beard, perhaps representing a fur trader who cheated the Haida people. The next figure down is holding a shrimp in its mouth, a symbol said to represent a thief. Another symbol of thievery is the crab - the fourth figure from the top in an upside down position.
Alaska American Indian First Nations Haida Kaigani Native American Padgett PhotoRaconteur Sitka Sukkwan Yaadaas beaver crab ridicule pole shrimp totem pole trader wood carving
"Aztec Fire Dancers" ~ Aztec Fire Dancers gather around the tlalpanhuehuetl (Aztec war drum) to prepare for their next ceremonial dance.

(Photo by Benjamin Padgett)
Padgett Majestic Exposures photography Native Americans American Indians Aztec fire dancer tlalpanhuehuetl ceremonial war drum powwow
"Aztec Trumpet I" ~ Aztec Fire Dancer wearing elaborate regalia while sounding an Atecocolli (conch shell trumpet) toward one of the four winds during a ceremony.
Padgett Majestic Exposures photography Native Americans American Indians Aztec fire dancer Atecocolli ceremonial conch shell trumpet powwow
"Aztec Trumpet II" ~ Aztec Fire Dancer wearing elaborate regalia while sounding an Atecocolli (conch shell trumpet) toward one of the four winds during a ceremony.
Padgett Majestic Exposures photography Native Americans American Indians Aztec fire dancer Atecocolli ceremonial conch shell trumpet powwow
"Wise Man" ~ An elder Native American wearing a traditional porcupine headpiece with Eagle feathers during a ceremonial dance.
Padgett Majestic Exposures photography Native Americans American Indians ceremonial powwow elder wise man porky roach
"Dances with Feathers" ~ Native American engrossed in extensive feathered regalia at a pow-wow.
Padgett Majestic Exposures photography Native Americans American Indians ceremonial powwow feathers feathered regalia
"Dog Soldier" ~ Native American wearing a Dog Soldier feather bonnet during a ceremonial dance.
Padgett Majestic Exposures photography Native Americans American Indians ceremonial powwow feathers dog soldier dog man Cheyenne war paint