Ellen Neel

"[1] Neel inspired subsequent First Nation women, such as Freda Diesing (Haida) and Doreen Jensen (Gitksan), to take up carving.

[3] Ellen May (née Newman) Neel (Potlatch name Kakaso'las) was born on November 14, 1916, in Alert Bay, British Columbia.

Neel learned Northwest carving from her maternal grandfather, Yakuglas/Charlie James, a noted totem carver and from her uncle, the famed sculptor Mungo Martin.

[5] While attending St. Michael's residential school Charlie arduously taught Neel line work, old styles, stories and dedication.

Soon her sons completed the bulk of carving while she painted production work of six-inch to 18-inch poles for the reliable tourist trade.

In 1955, Woodward's Department Store commissioned Neel to create five totem poles for an Edmonton shopping mall.

In 1985 the UBC Museum of Anthropology erected one of the totem poles they had commissioned from Neel in Stanley Park, where it is still on display.

[2] Ellen's grandson David Neel is a carver, jeweler, painter, photographer, and author active today in British Columbia.

Foreground, the top of Kakaso'Las Totem Pole. Carved by Kwakwaka'wakw artist Ellen Neel and her uncle Mungo Martin, for Woodward's Department Store, in 1955. Currently at Stanley Park , Vancouver.
Kakaso'Las Totem Pole. Carved by Kwakwaka'wakw artist Ellen Neel and her uncle Mungo Martin, for Woodward's Department Store, in 1955.