by Reinhard Reitzenstein
During the Vermont Sunray Peace Village Clan Pole dedication ceremonies, a Deer Clan elder declared this the first clan pole erected on Cherokee land in roughly 150 years. A perusal of articles by early visitors to North/South Carolina and Georgia areas reveals that clan poles could be found near the entry to Native villages. In the 1800’s Native Americans were increasingly forbidden to practice their faith/cultural traditions and the earliest European settlers destroyed clan poles in the east.
Clan poles are traditionally carved and painted with symbols, totems or figures that represent clan emblems. A clan is a group of people related through descent/kinship within a larger tribe. Although Venerable Dhyani Ywahoo described each of the seven clans, their inclusion order and indicated the colors each would carry, I was honored that she trusted me to execute the creative design of the seven clans. This clan pole depicts her 27 generational indigenous lineage and connections. In order to effectively create the transitions from clan to clan in three dimensions, I created a small carving which served as a model that was then used to make a mold and cast in bronze to create a limited edition of bronze sculptures for personal sacred altars.
Carved from a tree found on a Sunray community member’s land, the White Pine, traditionally considered the great tree of peace, was removed ceremonially, which included asking permission of the tree. A carving station was created on the Peace Village grounds and for six weeks, while I carved, the most remarkable experiences for me were the “coincidences” which occurred within nature and with people around me.
Carving began at the top of the Pole with a depiction of the Wild Potato clan, the food providers of the traditional Cherokee. In recent history, the Wild Potato Clan and the Bear Clan merged and this section honors both Clans. While carving this section there were huge, wild, lightning thunderstorms. When Venerable Dhyani Ywahoo came to investigate I mentioned the storms. She noted that the thunderbolt design of the Bear Clan’s fur indicated that the Thunder Beings wanted to be present during carving to enliven this creation; thus the storms. While carving this face section, an appropriately sized and located knot-hole formed the eye that similarly indicated to me that the clan pole carving was in line with the natural elements.
The second face depicts the Long Hair Clan. They were an aesthetically beautiful people with regal carriage who wore many adornments and magnificently well-manicured hair. The Long Hair Clan were considered the peacemakers; Peace Chiefs came from this clan. They adopted prisoners of war, orphans of other tribes and those with no Cherokee clan into their clan. While carving this section, I received many visitors of varying diversities of age, race and tradition. Another knothole was revealed in the exact location of an earring, which gave me further confidence that the carving was attuned with nature.
The Wolf Clan, the largest and oldest of the clans, from which war chiefs were chosen was the third clan depicted. The wolf is the protector, the guardian, the hunter. During the 12-14 hour days when carving the wolf, I heard its seemingly demanding message, “get me out.” I could hear coyotes and wolves near by the carving station. On the second day, my power tools refused to cooperate and taking instruction from the wolf inside the tree, I continued with hand tools only. I experienced the extremes of the wolf, which informed my choice of tools. The messages I received were clear; I had to be forceful and then gentle when carving the wolf.
The fourth face was of The Blue Clan, which produced many healers that create(d) special medicines. Painting children’s bodies with blue holly pigment was one of the methods the Blue Clan used to heal. As I was carving this section, I remember that I received visits every day, all day, from children ranging in age from to 2 to 16. They even came with gifts of ice cream, tea and cherries, my own childhood favorites.
Next came the Paint Clan, the healers of all the people, who would gather appropriate healing herbs and paint this medicine on patients. During this clan carving, I was visited by people of various ages. One of the visits was from a man who carried pipes of ash wood and red pipestone which he laid onto the clan pole along with a flute made of the same materials. Both flute and pipe are powerful medicine. With these gifts, the carving process was very calm and seemingly effortless caressed by warm gentle breezes. Without realizing in a conscious way, I remember noticing that the image elongated gradually like a canoe of light, which was not in my original model. I can only think that the people of this clan needed more space, more presence.
Members of the Bird Clan, the sixth clan depicted, were historically known as messengers; those beings who communicate between the terrestrial and celestial realms. Eagle feathers that were to be gifted to certain individuals were traditionally presented by members of this Clan. While carving, eagles and hawks circled above the field at the Peace Village carving site. In the sky in both directions on different days, the voluminous clouds could also be seen to be in the formation of enormous thunderbirds. Everything winged was coming to visit, including hummingbirds.
The Deer Clan, the trackers and hunters, at the Pole’s base has its antlers cradling and holding up all the clans. They were fast runners, shape shifters; and the messengers between the villages and the people. While I carved this last clan image, both stags and does together, which is not so common, came running across the property.
And then, when I was finished carving, a complete clan pole appeared in the clouds above. Overwhelmed by the presence and clarity of this sight, tears welled in my eyes.
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