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CNN Live Today

Totem Tribute

Aired August 23, 2002 - 12:53   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: A totem pole carved as a symbol of tribute for the victims of September 11th begins a journey from the Pacific Northwest today.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: A 13-foot red cedar poll will be blessed by tribal troops as it makes its way east.

Anna Velasquez with CNN affiliate from KIRO brings us the details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is obvious when you lose a loved one immediately that that site remains sacred, at least in the memory of the family that was impacted.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A tremendous amount of sorrow that was in the air, and our feelings towards the families of the victims. We understand this grief.

ANNA VELASQUEZ, KIRO REPORTER: In Lummi (ph) culture, totem poles are for healing and protection. This one may help the nation heal.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In memory of the people that were lost at the Twin Towers, we today think about who were they. Well, they were men, our fathers. There were women, our mothers. There were children.

VELASQUEZ: It took master carver Jewel James and his brother, Doug, more than a month of cutting, carving, sanding and painting to bring this 13-foot red cedar to life.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We carved a eagle, representing the male and the fathers. We carved a mother bear to represent the females and the mothers, and folded it in the arms of the mother bear as a bear child to represent the children.

VELASQUEZ: As the healing pole makes its way cross country, it will be greeted by dozens of other Native American tribes along the way.

By the time it reaches New York, the Lummis (ph) say it will carry with it hundreds of prayers for the thousands of victims of September 11th.

In Bellingham, North Town (ph) bureau chief Anna Velasquez, KIRO 7, Eyewitness News, (END VIDEOTAPE)

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