Ellen Neel carving a Thuncerbid totem pole with the help of her family.

Photographs of Kwakiutl carvers: Dave Neel Sr., Ellen Neel, Mungo Martin, Charlie James

One of my earliest childhood memories is the pungent aroma of yellow cedar in my grandmothers carving studio. To my adolescent mind, the shavings seemed to be waist high, and I had to wade through them to explore the mysterious tools and the half-finished carvings which lay about. I had no way of knowing then, that this was a glimpse into my own future, and a creative path that began generations before I was born.

At the time I was playing in cedar shavings, my father, Dave Neel Sr. was apprenticing with his mother, Ellen Neel; who is credited with being the first Native woman carver (It was Haida artist, Frieda Diesing, who first pointed this out to me in the 1990’s).  Ellen had the good fortune of learning to carve from her uncle, Mungo Martin, and her grand-father, Charlie James. Mungo apprenticed with Charlie James, from a young age, and they completed many totem poles, masks and other carvings together. The name of the master-carver who taught Charlie has been lost to history.

These are some of the people who helped keep the culture alive during their time, and passed on their knowledge. We are fortunate that many fine photographs of them still exist; and some of my favorites can be seen here. I hope that you enjoy them as much as I have.

David Neel (Glaglaklawis)

 Ellen Neel carving a model totem in Vancouver, BC. 

                                                                                      Charlie James with a model totem and two of his paintings. Although

                                                                               his style is considered ultra traditional today, at the time he had a

                                very unique, personal style for his time.

Mungo Martin finishing a Hok-Hok dance mask. Although he is best known

as a carver he was also a very prolific composer of songs; and is attributed

as the composer of over 200 Kwakiutl songs.

 Ellen Neel putting the final touches on a totem pole. 

 Dave Neel Sr. paintings "the world's smallest totem pole", 

which was commissioned from the City of Vancouver, and 

presented to Bob Hope. 

Ellen Neel teaching totem pole carving to her sons: Ted, Dave Sr. and Bob

(from left to right)

 Ellen Neel carving a totem pole with an elbow adze. 

Ellen Neel using a D-adze to carve a cedar panel.

 Dave Sr. with his mother, Ellen Neel. 

Mungo Martin displays his family copper at a totem pole raising ceremony.

The Neel Family, as a living totem 

pole. Ellen, Ted Sr., Theresa, Theo,

Dave Sr., Ted and Bob (From top 

to bottom)

Charlie James and his step-song, Mungo Martin with a Sisiult painting on a woven cedar bark mat. In the background

is a Thunderbird memorial carving by James.