9/11 Healing Totem Poles
Washington, DC
Jewel Praying Wolf James, master carver from the Lummi Nation in Washington State, created several totem poles in the belief that they would help people heal from the trauma of 9/11. These three -- named Liberty and Freedom, joined at the top by Sovereignty -- were erected outside the Pentagon in September, 2004.
The carving contains much symbolism, even in the choice of paint colors. On the poles' way to Washington, they made stops in nearly 40 American Indian Nations where they were prayed over and blessed.
The poles were eventually moved from the Pentagon to Congressional Cemetery. According to an accompanying plaque, this relocation was perfectly acceptable, because the poles "also represent those interred here from twelve different American Indian tribes -- most of whom died in Washington, DC, negotiating treaties or conducting business with the U.S. government."