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-toßpßlJflks. » > V V‘ ; Using a traditional carving tool, James cuts a groove in an old-growth cedar log. and natural ability to repel insects and resist decay. “If we find an appropriate living tree, we first bless it in a prayer ceremony, then hire a logger to drop it, and pay a logging company to haul it to the reservation,” says James, who works as a policy analyst for the Lummi tribe. When a log arrives in his yard, he cuts it into lengths and removes the outer bark and soft, pulpy layer, exposing the carve able, fragrant wood. After he rounds and smrxxhes tire log with a 30-inch drawknife, James decides where he will carve the totems figures, which might include eagles or owls, whales or wolves, the sun or the moon. He outlines the figures with a marker and cuts away wood that won’t be part of the final design. As he carves, the totems three dimensional images take shape until figures cover the entire pole. James and his assistants can labor as much as 1,000 hours to create a single totem and typically they receive no compensation for the "healing” poles they carve. Volunteers often help him with cutting, chiseling, sand ing or painting. “Traditionally our people used elements found in nature for the paint colors, like red earth for ted, cattail pollen for yellow, and various burned plants to create black or even an off-white," he says. “Now we buy exterior paint at the hardware store.” Among Pacific Northwest tribes, totem poles traditionally were towering accounts of family ancestry, clan achievements and creation myths. In his work, James tries to convey stories about human relationships, with each other and the environment, in hope of promoting peace and healing in the world. Heather Larson is a freelance writer in Federal Way. Wash. To comment or for more infor mation, click on this story at americanprofile.com. www.americanprofile.com • Strong one day. gIRMY STRONGTHE NEXT. V •Up: ■H'7 W • - mtr 1! 'u. - II If' . ' - . T •ip | I What makes the Army Reserve different? It’s training close to home but always Wk standing ready. It's being able to work your job while serving your country. It’s the strength that comes from being a citizen one day and a soldier the next. Find out more at goarmyreserve.com. ARMY RESERVE Jason McCarthy, Construction Job Site Supervisor and Sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserve. page 5 UpTr 1 MM U.S.ARMY ]* ARMY STRONG."