Howdy November! In honor of Native American heritage month, this month’s calendar features a public artwork by an indigenous person.
Bikers and joggers on the Lakefront Trail have been known to stop in their tracks once they spot Kwa-Ma-Rolas. The totem pole has been welcoming visitors to Lincoln Park since 1929.
It’s curious history began on Vancouver Island where it was sculpted by the Kwagulth people. James L. Kraft, the founder of Kraft Foods, brought it to Chicago as a gift to the city’s children where it stood until the 1980s. At that time, the original totem pole was returned to Vancouver Island. Kwagulth Chief Tony Hunt was hired to sculpt a replica of the original totem pole, and it stands in Chicago today depicting a thunderbird, the tail of a whale, a spear-clutching man, and a sea monster.
Wishing you a month filled with joy and gratitude!
Jessica Mlinaric founded Urban Explorer in 2010 to inspire curious travelers by highlighting history, culture, and hidden gems in Chicago and beyond. She is the author of ‘Secret Chicago’ and ‘Chicago Scavenger.’ Jessica has visited 20+ countries and 30+ U.S. states. She has more than 16 years of experience as a marketing strategist and works as a freelance writer and photographer.
