The First Nations of the Northwest Coast have a way of life which is oriented toward the sea. As a part of a special exhibition, Orcas: Our Shared Future, in the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) in Portland, Oregon had an exhibit on orcas and people.
According to OMSI:
“If you come from a culture that considers Killer Whales family, it’s easy to understand all ways orcas are like humans. Science is only now catching up to what Indigenous peoples have known since time immemorial. Orcas speak many languages; they have powerful emotional connections and deep respect for their family members. Indigenous peoples have known all along that if whales are like people, then they should be respected as we respect our human neighbours.”
Shown above is Killerwhale Fin. Date unknown.
Detail from: Killerwhale Fin
Shown above is Double-Finned Killer Whale crest figure, Haida, made before 1892.
Another view of Double-Finned Killer Whale crest figure
Detail from Double-Finned Killer Whale crest figure
Detail from Double-Finned Killer Whale crest figure
Shown above is Whale Fin by Nuu-chah-nulth artist Tim Paul, 1997
According to OMSI:
“Tim Paul seamlessly presents the interconnections of all living beings in the seas, lands and sky. Killer Whale becomes man who becomes Raven. The Nuu-chah-nulth word for orca, Kakaw in, translates to a fin on one’s back and recalls an origin story of the first man who shed his fins and walked out of the sea.”
Another view of Whale Fin
Another view of Whale Fin
Another view of Whale Fin
Detail from Whale Fin
According to OMSI:
“In these artworks, animals and humans intertwine, carry, ride and transform. Often, argillite sculptures and screen prints illustrate climactic moments in coastal stories.”
Shown above is Scana with the Woman by Haida artist Freda Diesing, 1980.
Detail from Scana with the Woman
Detail from Scana with the Woman
Shown above is Clo-Oose Vision by Nuu-chah-nulth artist Art Thompson, 1978.
Detail from Clo-Oose Vision
Detail from Clo-Oose Vision
Detail from Clo-Oose Vision
Detail from Clo-Oose Vision
Shown above are argillite model totem poles.
Shown above is a Haida model pole with Man, Killer Whale and Beaver. Date unknown.
Shown above is a 1936 Haida model pole with Woman, Killer Whale and Beaver.
Shown above is a Haida model pole with Raven, Woman, Killer Whale and Sea Lion. Date unknown.
Shown above is a Haida Pipe with Frog, Eagle, Woman and Killer Whale. Date unknown.
Note: These photographs were taken on November 5, 2023.
More about Northwest Coast First Nations
Indians 101: Killer Whale Potlatch Feast Bowl (museum exhibit)
Indians 101: Northwest Coast Killer Whale crests (museum exhibit)
Indians 101: Honour for Killer Whales (museum exhibit)
Indians 101: Carved screen with Haida stories (museum exhibition)
Indians 101: Northwest Coast Masks (Photo Diary)
Indians 101: Northwest Coast House Panels (Photo Diary)
Indians 101: Tlingit clan hats (photo diary)
Indians 101: Chilkat Dancing Blankets (photo diary)
