Provenience note: many objects in the Chirouse collection were catalogued as Duwamish, however that really only seems to definitively apply to Catalogue No. 130965. Accession record indicates that the collection is the "handiwork of the Snohomish, Swinomish, Lummi, Muckleshoot and Etakmur Indians on the Tulalip Reservation in Washington Territory".

From card for E23523-46: "Dec 20, 1972, Bill Holm says that these are definitely Haida."Cultural ID for paddles E23523 - 23546 is somewhat in question. They were catalogued as Clallam, Bill Holm has identified them as Haida, but James Swan in correspondence in the accession file references 24 Bella Bella paddles.

FROM CARD: "PAINTED RED."Originally cataloged as "Model Of Canoe And Mats (2)" but only 3 paddles remain in the collection.

This object is on loan to the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center, from 2010 through 2027. Paddle 1 of 2 (also called E72675A) only is on loan to AMRC. Second paddle, paddle 2 of 2, is on exhibit in Sant Ocean Hall NMNH, 2008.Source of the information below: Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center Alaska Native Collections: Sharing Knowledge website, by Aron Crowell, entry on paddle 1 of 2, also called E72675A, http://alaska.si.edu/record.asp?id=602 , retrieved 6-24-2012: Canoe Paddle Haida canoe paddles were made of red or yellow cypress and ornamented with clan crest designs to match images painted on the boat itself. The paddles have wide grips and pointed tips. With a full complement of paddlers (up to eight men and women) Haida canoes were swift and maneuverable. After contact with European traders, the Haida added sails to their boats.

FROM CARD: "DEPOSITED WITH SMITHSONIAN INST."

From card for E23523-46: "Dec 20, 1972, Bill Holm says that these are definitely Haida."Cultural ID for paddles E23523 - 23546 is somewhat in question. They were catalogued as Clallam, Bill Holm has identified them as Haida, but James Swan in correspondence in the accession file references 24 Bella Bella paddles.

From card for E23523-46: "Dec 20, 1972, Bill Holm says that these are definitely Haida."Cultural ID for paddles E23523 - 23546 is somewhat in question. They were catalogued as Clallam, Bill Holm has identified them as Haida, but James Swan in correspondence in the accession file references 24 Bella Bella paddles.

All 3 paddles are marked Makah, and one is also marked "W.T." (i.e. Washington Territory). These paddles are probably the ones listed on Swan invoice # 4 in accession file, where they are called #95, "3 paddles for the small canoe shipped in October." The canoe referred to as shipped in October is probably Makah canoe E74202, so these paddles may belong to that canoe, or Swan may have acquired them for display with that canoe?

Described p. 104 in Brown, James Temple. 1883. The whale fishery and its appliances. Washington: Govt. print. off.: "Whaling Paddle. Made of yew; the common form adopted by the natives in whaling. The paddle has a long, tapering point to enable the canoe to silently approach a whale, as the blade can be thrust deep in the water and the reverse stroke made with comparatively little splashing or noise. Length, 5 feet. Makah Indians, Cape Flattery, Washington Territory. James G. Swan."

From card for E23523-46: "Dec 20, 1972, Bill Holm says that these are definitely Haida."Cultural ID for paddles E23523 - 23546 is somewhat in question. They were catalogued as Clallam, Bill Holm has identified them as Haida, but James Swan in correspondence in the accession file references 24 Bella Bella paddles.