The long awaited Pot Latch was this weekend, and boy was it amazing! I’m sorry to tell you that Jason missed it because he is currently in Fairbanks for a science workshop. Despite my not being able to figure out the camera, I was able to take a few videos and pictures on my phone for you all to see. Unfortunately I'm having difficulty uploading the videos. . . but will have Jason try to help me when he is home from Fairbanks. And I’ll do my best at describing the day.
For those of you who don’t know, a Pot Latch is much different than a Pot Luck. At a Pot Latch the host is responsible for feeding everyone invited and provides gifts for them as well. In this case, David Boxley Sr. and Jr. wanted to host a Pot Latch in Metlakatla to honor their Mother/Grandmother who passed away about one year ago. This is not a common occurrence and people were flown in from all over to be a part of this special occasion. In addition, the entire village of Metlakatla was invited.
Both of the Boxley’s, father and son, are amazing native artists that show their work in the Seattle and Portland areas. David Jr. has been working on a totem pole for the past year as a memorial to his Grandmother, which was raised on this very special day in the front yard of their family home. (This is the totem pole in my earlier blog.) Both of the Boxley’s have also been working for the past year to make thank you gifts for people who played a large part in their Mother/Grandmother’s life and for people who helped to honor her by putting this memorial together or just attending.
We began at 9:00am for the moving of the grave stone in the cemetery. It was almost eerie how stormy it had been all week long and then, we all woke up to a sunny morning. In fact, when we arrived at the cemetery there was a rainbow over the water in the distance. Although we did get a few showers, it was truly a beautiful day.
At the cemetery the Boxley’s said a few words and songs were sang. Then we all drove to the boat dock/long house area where the totem pole has been. There was an unveiling and of course more singing, then the men carried the totem pole down the road to the Boxley’s house where it was raised up in their front yard.
At noon we all met in the town hall, Ivars Chowder House from Seattle had come to feed everyone lunch. There were opening ceremonies & a welcome. Then the Ketchikan Intertribal Drummers preformed. More ceremonies & presentations, which included a portrait unveiling of LaVern Evelyn (Bolton) Welcome – who we were all there to celebrate for. Then the dance group Suu Gayna preformed. Memorial payments were given, which were amazing pieces of artwork by the Boxley’s. I wish I could have gotten some better pictures of that – sorry. Fourth Generations dance group preformed. More people were recognized as being leaders in the community. A dance group called Git Gyilhawlii preformed. Then we all ate a delicious salmon dinner together in the town hall.
There are four tribes that make up the Tsimshian People; the wolves, the ravens, the killer whales, and the eagles. The Boxely’s are from the eagle tribe and so anyone that came to the Pot Latch who was an eagle had to help host the event. This was really an interesting part of the Pot Latch. I forgot to mention that when we arrived at the town hall we had to sign in and state what tribe we were from, if any. Everyone, even guests (like me) were given a button to wear to show what tribe you belonged to (or didn’t belong to).
So at dinner, the Eagles all served everyone else before serving themselves. They set up tables for us, poured us juice, and brought out our meals. We had a delicious appetizer of seaweed, smoked salmon, and fried bread with maple syrup. Then salmon, rice, coleslaw and fruit cups for dinner. It was impressive.
After dinner there were more ceremonies. One really neat thing that was done was a special dance where the Eagles put money into a decorate piece of art. I have a video of this – I hope that Jason will be able to help me post it. The money was counted up and then the Eagles distributed the money ($1/each) to everyone else in the town hall who was not an Eagle. Even the children were walking around looking at people’s buttons to see if they were an Eagle – if not, they you got a dollar! Just another example of how generous the people are here.
The evening was full of entertainment. The Killer Whale dance group, from Metlakatla preformed. Many of our students are in this group and it was a real treat to see them dance with their families. Another group from Anchorage, called the Lgg preformed. This was actually the second time I saw them perform because they came to the school Friday afternoon and preformed for our students. And finally David Boxley Sr.’s dance group, Git Hoan, preformed. This was especially entertaining because of the art work that the Boxley’s integrated into their dances. Many of the masks and other items used were created by them.
As midnight approached (yes, midnight) the Eagles were all called up for one last duty. They handed out reusable grocery bags filled with goodies to each person that attended the memorial. Each bag was a little different. I went home with a poster by David Boxley Jr., some canned salmon, another canned fish item that I have yet to determine what it is, various pieces of fruit, stationary, marigold seeds, and some garbage bags to carry around with me to pick up trash in memory of LaVerne Evelyn (Bolton) Welcome.
This was one memorable day for sure. The music and dancing were beautiful. The generosity of the Boxley’s was overwhelming. I can’t help but think about how hard they have worked for the past year to honor their Mother/Grandmother. And how they must feel now that they have been able to do that – and to give thanks to all of the people that meant something to her during her life, as well as the people who may not have even ever known her – but wanted to be a part of remembering her and bringing this community together for a day of celebration. What a neat thing to do. I felt honored to be a part of it.
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