Missing Julia

Last evening, Peter and I went up to Ariel, Washington in the foothills of Mount St. Helen to the Lelooska Winter Dances, presided over by Chief Tsungani Lelooska, clan chief of the Wiummasgum Clan of the House of Lelooska and the House of Sewide (Kwakwaka’wakw (Kwakiutl), Peter’s carving teacher and our friend.

His wife, Julia Stoll, principal dancer, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away in September–breast cancer. Julia and I last talked on the phone for over an hour earlier in the spring, and I am so glad to remember that I was able to settle into a big chair and just be with her.

We have seen Julia dance in the Winter Dances for 15 or 20 years. This year, her grandchildren were dancing; there was eight-year old Isaac dancing for the first time as Young Raven. Ten-year-old Mara raced to the Longhouse door to let great Kolus, Young Eagle, in the door.

This poem and digital story are for Julia. No media recording is allowed inside the Longhouse, so I used images from the Lelooska Museum and from our own collection.

3 thoughts on “Missing Julia

  1. Cheryl Renee says:

    Remember when we shared a few sweet hours in a drawing class led by Julia, not so long ago? I am so sorry to hear of her passing. I found this story to be poignant and a fine tribute to her time here on earth. I think the Lelooska Foundation would be most honored to receive a copy of your story. Sensitive and poetic, a fine offering for the artist Julia. Thank you.

    Reply
  2. Susan Carkin says:

    Another beautiful story and photos. Thank you again, Sandy.

    Reply
  3. Don Hynes says:

    “bare feet pounding down another night to dust”

    “the chief beats the heart beat drum but the chief’s wife is gone”

    Indeed. Poignant, a gentle arrow to the heart.

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Susan Carkin Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.