John T. Williams Totem Pole Ceremony
The big story in 2010 around Seattle was the shooting death of John T. Williams. John T. Williams was a seventh generation Native American woodcarver from the Ditidaht tribe. On August 30, 2012 he was shot down by Seattle Police Department officer Ian Birk. According to police sources Ian Birk stopped John T. Williams for carrying a open pocket knife and a phonebook sized peice of cedar wood. After Birk noticed that Williams was carving the cedar wood he asked him to put the knife down three times. Not doing so Officer Birk opened fire five times and at a distance of ten feet. Williams was shot with four bullets, one hit to the chest was the lethal shot. After the death of Williams the Native American community from all around Washignton came together and carved out a 34-foot totem pole. On February 26 the community of Seattle along with the tribes that helped carve the totem pole showed up to raise it along with his family and tribe. When I arrived at The Seattle Center I was welcomed with the feeling of happiness. This was a really unique event that I've been to in Seattle. There was no anger or conflict. Everybody that was there I could sense was feeling a bit emotional. But who wouldn't? The sounds of Native Americans chanting prayers at the top of there lungs, Indian drums being pounded in song and music, the sun shining down on the event and bald eagles flying above, Native tribes doing ceremony dances. While I was walking around I met John T. William's uncle. After we talked a little bit he told to "never forget this", and trust me when I say this, I will never forget. This Ceremony reminded me a lot of my grandma Bonnie. She lived in Alaska and loved to native culture.