Christian Totem Carver Lee Wallace

HOST: During a recent visit to Ketchikan, The New Life Station’s Mike Osborne met a well-known native Indian totem carver named Lee Wallace. Each summer, Lee shares his tribe’s ancient art from, and something more, with tourists from all over the world.

MIKE: Ketchikan, Alaska is a favorite port of call for cruise ships plying the waters of the Inside Passage between Washington State and the southeast Alaska panhandle. Each morning, two or three new ships tie up at the dock and disembark thousands of passengers for the day.

SFX: native singing

MIKE: Most end up in the small native village of Saxman just a few miles outside Ketchikan. They come to learn more about the local Haida, Klingit, and Tshimshian Indians, but many also hear an unexpected message from Lee Wallace.

Mr. Wallace: As this cruise industry developed in southeast Alaska, ships are coming through this island every day, and that includes Sundays. A lot of them, they are traveling on the ship for a week at a time, and one day blends into another, and they don't even know it's Sunday. And I say, 'Guess what, guys? We're going to do a little church right here', and I share my faith and the meaning of a lot of these stories.

MIKE: The story that Lee refers to is a centuries old native parable about a prideful young eagle that refuses to listen to the advice of his elders. The proverb is a favorite subject for totem carvers, but Lee adds his own special flair.

Mr. Wallace: In [the Bible book called] 1 Peter 5:5, it says 'Young men, in the same way, be submissive to those who are older. Clothe yourself with humility toward one another because God opposes the proud, but he gives grace to the humble'. In this culture, at an early age we are taught to respect our elders, people of authority, our grandparents, our parents, our uncles, our aunts. Luke 18:14, 'For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted'. That is something you don't do in our culture, is lift yourself up.

MIKE: The northwest native cultures very nearly lost the art of totem carving through the well meaning but misguided efforts of Christian missionaries who mistook the poles for idols. Most totems are actually a kind of family crest and record clan history for a society without a written language.

Mr. Wallace: It actually influenced my grandfather. He actually stopped carving, and he actually took down poles and he cut them down. After gaining insight into the whole thing, he returned to his carvings and, 'Yeah, I've probably made a mistake'. After you examine the real meaning of these pieces, then you say, 'Yeah, they are not being worshipped or they're not idols'.

MIKE: Lee’s carving skill is such that he was recently asked by the State of Alaska to restore a pole that his grandfather carved in the 1930’s. But he takes to heart the teachings of scripture and the traditions of his people and remains humble about his talent.

Mr. Wallace: Well, I look at my great-grandfather's work and I look at other artists' different fields, and to me I just haven't achieved that. And just pushing yourself always, just to improve each time, and I just praise God for the talent he's given me.

MIKE: If you would like to learn more about Lee Wallace, his artwork, or his Christian witness, visit his website. 

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