The Story Pole is a ceremonial totem pole originally carved by Samuel Cagey Jr., a beloved Lummi Elder, and is now being completed by Jason LaClair, acclaimed Coast Salish artist.

The carving forms the centerpiece of QwotQwem —meaning “noisy waters” in Xwlemi Chosen—an ad-hoc gallery in Hotel Leo in downtown Bellingham dedicated to honoring local Native and Indigenous artists. LaClair’s work is intended to honor and benefit the work of Cagey’s carving, and complete his story.

The pole has been on public display since April 2023 participating in monthly art walks as well as dedicated carving demonstrations with students from Bellingham Public Schools and Lummi Island Beach School.

As of October 2023, CSSP has raised $45,000 of the $160,000 campaign to complete the story pole and gift it to the community. You can support this effort by making a donation online.

About Jason LaClair

Jason LaClair is a Coast Salish artist from the Lummi and Nooksack communities. Jason has been practicing Northern Formline art and Coast Salish styles for more than 25 years. In 2021, he collaborated with local artist Gretchen Leggitt to create the public installation of the “Salmon Run” mural for the City of Bellingham. In addition, he was the artist of the “One from the Heart” mural in Ferndale. Other murals decorate the Boardmill Building in the Port of Bellingham’s central waterfront redevelopment. Jason's drive comes from the need to share the art of his ancestors with his People and the Whatcom Community as a whole. He says he loves what he does and that his career is the best way to express himself.

  • The majestic Eagle is strength, vision, leadership, intelligence and most of all resourceful.

    Eagle rules the sky and is able to transform himself into a human if needed.

    The Eagle symbolizes power and prestige around us all.

    Eagle protects the spirit and the body, representing health and wholeness of the human being.

    He is able to deliver messages to the creator, carrier of the prayers, he is connected with balance.

    Eagle teaches us how to embrace an elevated perspective while bravely speaking the truth.

  • The Whale connects with family, romance, longevity, harmony, travel, community and protection.

    He is said to protect those who travel away from home and to lead them back when the time comes.

    Whales are full of compassion, solitude, and knowledge of both life and death.

    They are also associated with unlimited creativity.

  • The Bear represents strength, family, vitality courage and health. The Bear is thoughtful and independent with little need for fellowship.

    He is self-contained and strong-willed in nature.

    Bear is a symbol of strength and wisdom and is looked to for healing and medicine. He continues to fight after being seriously injured; Bear is capable of healing our wounds.

  • The Wolf is a symbol of courage, strength, loyalty, and success at hunting.

    The Wolf represents strong family ties, good communication, education, understanding, and intelligence. Of all land animals, the Wolf has the strongest supernatural powers and is the best hunter.

    Wolf is a symbol of guardianship, ritual, loyalty, and spirit.

    Wolf has the ability to make quick and firm emotional attachments as they often need to trust their own instincts. The Wolf teaches us to do the same, to trust our hearts and minds and have control over our own lives.

    The meaning of the Wolf is to symbolize direction and leadership while also representing protection and destruction. We know that when the wolves are howling at the moon, they are speaking to the upper world and transmitting magical powers.

  • The Bird Man is believed to be a supernatural being with the equivalent status to that of the great spirit, who resides in the upper world with the spirits of the sun, moon, and stars.

    Bird Man represents the upper world, the order, and light. Bird Man dancers perform in ceremonies in asking the spirits in a humble way of the upper world for help.

    The link between the upper world (heaven) and the earth was the sky and the Bird Man was able to move between the two realms as messengers to the gods.

    The Bird Man is portrayed in his disguise as an eagle, hawk, or falcon. These birds are all strong, high flying predators. Performing rituals and dances of the ways of our people aligns themselves to the spirits of the upper world and gains favor for victory of important battles.

  • The Serpent symbolizes chaos, corruption, and darkness. It is seen as a male and violent being or monster who devours his enemies.

    The Great Serpents, resided in the underworld and are described as powerful beings who were in constant conflict with the forces of the upper world who are represented by the Thunderers who were the Bird Men.

    It took its place in the underworld due to its association with death and its role as a messenger to and from the world of the dead going back and forth.

    The Serpent was the feared guardian of life and the forces of life. The Serpent connects to the rain, thunder and waterways. The zigzag of the Serpent or snake is symbolic of the water.

    The Serpent symbol represents life and the renewal of life, just like water.

  • The Mermaid is the symbol of balance with our hearts and our minds. The role that defines individuality is defined through the mermaids.

    Seen by those with pure hearts, she is the source of life cleansing and renewal. She is a great supporter of the environment’s health and, of course, the health of the sea.

    The Mermaid is a great helper when the earth needs it. Our earth is in great need of support.