What's this Round? The eye of a bird? A snake? Neither! It is an ovoid form on the paw of the Wolf on the Yanyeidí Kootéeyaa pole in Juneau, Alaska. Part of the Kootéeyaa Deiyí, or Totem Pole Trail, along the waterfront, this pole from top to bottom includes an Eagle, two women traveling in a conoe under the Taku Glacier, a Brown Bear, Wise Woman, and the Wolf. Beyond marking anatomical joints, ovoids are used in sculpture to represent the "eye of life", the spiritual breath of the creature. The Yanyeidí are of the Eagle moiety. Their name derives from Yan Hít (Hemlock House), which was located on the Taku River near the T'aaḵú Kwáan Sít'i, the Taku People's Glacier.

10.04.26