‘The Healing Pole’

"The Healing Pole" at Fidalgo Bay Resort

Heron, "protectors" in the sense that they alerted villages to intruders

Frogs, which represent healing medicine in the Samish culture

Samish Indian Nation General Manager Leslie Eastwood provided the following information regarding the pole pictured here at the Fidalgo Bay Resort: “This story pole is called “the healing pole” and was carved by a group of local native and non-native carvers under the guidance and direction of Bill Bailey (Upper Skagit), who designed the artwork.  The pole is dedicated both to the widespread community effort to repair the destroyed section of the Tommy Thompson trestle and walkway that was set on fire in the fall of 2009, and also to the families who lost loved ones in the Tesoro refinery explosion in spring of 2010. The pole was raised within the easement of the Tommy Thompson Trail under a partnership with City of Anacortes in June of 2010.” Figures on the pole include frogs, great blue herons, seals, sea lions, a person saved from drowning, orca and eagle.