Carving depicting Sisiutl and Thunderbird, c. 1960
by Chief Sam Henderson (1905-1982) and family
Kwakwak’wakw First Nation, Campbell River, BC
red cedar, pigment, lacquer
16.5” high x 45” wide x 6.5” deep
Note: the Thunderbird is a more recent, unlacquered carving by one of Sam Henderson's family members, maybe to replace an earlier carving that was lost or damaged, or as an addition to the Sisiutl panel. We are in the process of researching its origin.
*Thunderbird and Sisiutl are powerful family clan and crest figures of the Henderson Family. The longhouse in Campbell River, BC is painted with Sisiutl and Thunderbird on the front by Sam Henderson's son Mark, and with carved red cedar beams and posts on the interior carved by his other son Bill.
Sisiutl, known as the double headed sea serpent is one of the most powerful and important beings in Kwakiutl cosmology. It is believed that anyone who sees a Sisiutl will be turned to stone, and walking in the trail of slime that Sisiutl leaves in its wake entails certain doom. Having impervious skin that cannot be pierced, Sisiutl is the assistant of the war spirit Winalagilis. It is believed that any warrior who can harness Sisiutl will be blessed with great powers. This supernatural creature can transform itself into a number of other creatures, and can change its size at will. Those privileged to wear the Sisiutl as their crest are held in very high esteem, as they are afforded the protection and benevolence of the creature.
Thunderbirds are mythical horned birds that inhabit the highest reaches of the sky, and are rumored to cause thunder when they ruffle their feathers and lightning when they blink their eyes. Thunderbirds are often transformers, changing from birds to humans (often recognized as ancient ancestors), and are associated with specific Kwakwaka'wakw communities and lineages. They are generally protective spirits.
Family patriarch and keeper of tradition, hereditary chief Sam Henderson was born in a Nakwaktok village in 1905. His father was Kenneth Henderson, a Scottish engineer and his mother Lucy Johnson, a high ranking Nakwatok woman. Sam himself was a high-ranking Nakwaxda’x chief amongst the Kwakwaka’wakw people. He grew up at Blunden Harbour, across from Port Hardy and Alert Bay, British Columbia.
Sam moved to Campbell River on Vancouver Island in 1934 when he married May Quocksistla, the eldest daughter of the the local Weiwaikum band of the Kwakwaka’wakw Chief John Quocksistala. Sam was a well-known master carver, and his monumental totem poles, masks, talking sticks, and other works are in private collections and museums including the Royal British Columbia Museum, UBC Museum of Anthropology, and the Canadian Museum of Civilization.
Throughout their lives, Sam and May were dedicated to keeping their cultural heritage alive. They instilled knowledge and respect for their ancient traditions into their children. Sam’s sons Bill Henderson and the late Mark Henderson carried on the traditional art forms of carving and painting, and all of his children learned and participated in the traditional ceremonies, songs and dances of their rich culture.
Since his death in 1982, Sam’s spirit has lived on in the town of Campell River through his many totem poles that stand as public art, and his carvings in the permanent collection of the Campbell River Museum.
