Charles and Margo Wood - Charlie\'s Charts North to Alaska

14

As one moves northward from Victoria tili roughly about Campbell River the
Coast Salish dominate. From there to past Bella Bella it is the Kwagiutl, then
the Tsimshian to the Alaska border with an intrusion around Metlakatla. The
sea-going Haida cover the Queen Charlotte Islands and the southern end of
Prince of Wa1es Island. The T1inglit cover the long remaining stretch of the
South East. There are similarities aS we11 as marked differences in tribal
culturest and the loeal museums are a good way of finding out about themj the
University of British Colum~ia Museum of Anthropology being a major source, and
the museums of Prince Rupert, Juneau, and the She1don Jackson of Sitka being
useful as well.

Sarah Eppenbaeh's bookt Alaska's Southeast noted on the previous page is a

go od introduction. "Totem Poles - an Illustrated Guide" by Marjorie M. Halpin

introduces the poles of the Haida and southern groups, while "Carved History" a

pamphlet sold in the Sitka National Historical Park describes the totems seen

in their park setting. These books also give bibliographies that lead one to

more detailed references.

DANGERS

Aside from the obvious and standard dangers of rocks, shoals, and heavy

weather there are some additional dangers pecu1iar to these waters.

There are many shoals in the vast area of this coast. Kelp grows on rocky

bottoms, and where it i5 seen in or on the water it should be taken as a sign

of danger. Living kelp usually indicates depths of 1ess than lO fathoms.

Since it i5 attached to the bottom its tendrils stream out in aline with the

surface currents. However, dead or detached kelp will often be seen floating

freely on the surface and obviously does not indicate the same thing.

Deadheads and Log Debris

This entire coastal area is one of the major logging zones of the worid.

Much of this timber is transported by log booms. Thus it is no surprise to

find that floating 10gs, deadheads, and sinkers are present in the inland

passages and inIets.

Floating logs can be encountered anywhere but seem most prevalent near tide

lines or at the entrances to inlets after very high tides or storms. Though

they occur in Alaska as well, they seem to be more in evidence in B.C.

Deadheads are 10g5 stuck at one end into the bottom, the other lying at or

near the surface. They can be even more dangerous because they are usual1y

less visible untii one is almost upon them and when hit they can cause serious

damage. Luckily, they do not remain long in pIace without becoming waterlogged

and sinking to the bottom, or being removed by the Coast Guard.