Oregon Zoo to rededicate Lelooska totem pole Friday morning

PORTLAND — After restoration, a 55-year-old totem pole crafted by Chief Lelooska will be rededicated Friday at the Oregon Zoo.

The 10:30 a.m. ceremony at the Great Northwest section of the zoo will include members of the Southwest Washington artist’s family, who took part in the project.

The totem pole was created in 1959 by Don Smith, an Indian carver and storyteller known as Chief Lelooska.

Another totem pole, created by father-and-son artists Rex and Ray Losey, also will be rededicated after restoration.

Lelooska’s Northwest coastal style totem pole — 50 feet tall and 42 inches in diameter — was carved from cedar during the 1959 Oregon Centennial Exposition.

Lelooska died in 1996, so his brother, Chief Fearon “Tsungani” Smith, led restoration efforts, repairing cracks and rot, as well as painting, cleaning and detailing the carving.

Zoo volunteers assisted with some restoration activities, and the Ariel-based Lelooska Foundation oversaw the entire effort.