Alaska Native and Native American Artworks
Ulaaq also known as Lawrence Ahvakana
Bench Dancer, 1995, by Ulaaq or Lawrence Ahvakana (Inupiaq), 1946 -
Located just outside the main office, above the main hallway to the faculty room and support staff offices. (Washington Arts Commission Artworks)
Autobiography:
"I grew up in Utkiagvik and Anchorage, Alaska with my parents who lived in the Inupiat culture lifestyle among a mixed culture community.
I hunted with my father for whale, caribou, moose and other wild game, as our main diet was subsistence from the Land, Nuna. It was a very important day when I harpooned my own whale with the family crew.
I have worked as a professional sculpture artist for over 47 years.
My inspiration is our stories, from everyday Northern Alaska lifestyle of subsistence, ceremonies, and the natural cycles of Arctic living. I work with stone, wood, bronze, glass, other media including prints, paintings and drawings." Ulaaq - Larry Ahvakana, 2019
Mr. Ahvakana currently resides in Suquamish, WA.
Additional resource: Lawrence Ahvakana Fine Art
Marvin Oliver
Raven and Bear Pole, 1982, by Marvin Oliver (Quinault/Isleta-Pueblo), 1946 -
Located in the main entry, just outside the school library. (Washington Arts Commission Artworks)
Mr. Oliver currently resides in the Seattle area.
Additional resource: University of Washington 2019 Odegaard Award Recipient: Marvin Oliver
Odin Lonning
Untitled, 2007, by Odin Lonning (Tlingit), 1953- , and students of Carolyn Candy, former music teacher, through the Vashon Artists in the Schools program.
Located on the 1st floor in the main hallway to the lunch room and gym, across from the exit to the playground. (Vashon Artists in Schools)
Additional resource:
Local Artist Works to Keep Native Traditions Alive
Qwalsius also known as Shaun Peterson
Salmon Paddle (12/100), 2012, by Qwalsius or Shaun Peterson (Puyallup), 1975 -
Located on the 3rd floor in the District Office Conference Center. Shelley Means gifted the print (12/100) in November 2021 to the school district. Per Shelley, "It's a gift to VISD, an appreciation for the equity work you're engaged in; in honor of our racial equity work. . . . Visibility matters, and helps Native kids and families see themselves in our school community."
Photo courtesy of Daniel Baptista
Mural Design completed in June 2024
Photo of Lucy used in the design courtesy of the Washington State Historical Society
Elements in the mural: Lucy Slagham Gerand, ducks, clams, and herring.
Installation by Anthony Duenas (spuyaləpabš, Puyallup)
Started: July 23, 2024
Completed: August 22, 2024
Highlight video by Lance Morgan
News articles:
Lucy Gerand mural unveiled at Chautauqua Elementary School, Puyallup Tribal News
Honoring a beloved elder, who told her people's story, Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber
Photo to the right is courtesy of Peter Woodbrook. Mural unveiling ceremony with guest speaker, Brandon Reynon, Director of Puyallup Tribe Historic Preservation
Language:
Many possible meanings:
"The place where the child was swept away by the big waves," "the foggy place," "the elevated place," "the sack tied in the middle," "where the fish was taken out," or "place where one was lost." Beauchamp, W. M. “Chautauqua and Other Iroquois Names.” Science, vol. 18, no. 457, 1891, pp. 261–263. JSTOR, JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/1766994.
“'Chautauqua' is a Haudenosaunee word with multiple meanings, including 'a bag tied in the middle' or 'two moccasins tied together.' The word describes the shape of Chautauqua Lake, located in southwest New York, which was the setting for the Chautauqua Institution, the first educational assembly in what became a significant movement at the turn of the 20th Century." https://www.chautauqua.com/about-us/history/chautauqua-movement-history/
"Word origin of 'chautauqua' Seneca name; prob., lit., 'one has taken out fish there,'" https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/chautauqua
The name's connection to our community:
Chautauqua Association (HistoryLink.org)
Chautauqua, Vashon Island
Dockton Road Heritage Corridor:
Located in the main stairwell landing between the 2nd and 3rd floors. Next to the flags is a Puyallup Tribal language yard sign by Taylor Dean which says "didiʔɫ čəɫ ʔa" meaning "We are still here."
I emailed (12/1/21) Charlotte Basch, Historic Preservation Coordinator, from the Puyallup Tribe Historic Preservation Office to see if she could point me in the direction of finding information about the symbols on the tribal flag. Here is her response,
“This is a great question! I don’t have anything official drafted on this right now, but we are hoping to highlight this as a future Facebook post.
In short, the flag has two major symbols from Puyallup culture—təqʷuʔma [“Taquoma” or Mt. Tacoma instead of "Mt. Rainier"] and Thunderbird. Do you have a copy of Marian Smith’s The Puyallup Nisqually? On page 70 there’s a reference to thunder that gives some insight to the connection between thunder, Thunderbird, and Puyallup. In order to really understand this explanation, though, it’d be good to have familiarity with the concept of powers—spiritual strengths individuals could receive through ceremony and/or individual contributions to community.
“The thunder was a bird…When it opened its mouth, sparks came out and these were lightning or flint. When it dashed through the air, it made thunder. It lived in a crater near Mt. Rainier on the north side of the ridge…The Puyallup were famous for their thunder power and when it thundered other people would say, ‘that is Puyallup power.’”
More simply though, I would share that the two symbols (thunder/Thunderbird and the Mountain) are central to Puyallup identity and culture—both being some of the most powerful and prominent features in the surrounding area, which is easy for non-Native residents today to understand. The Thunderbird made its nest in the Mountain, contributing to the Mountain’s physical and spiritual danger. Puyallup people understood the power of these beings, and as such regarded them both with the highest respect.”