In the Summer of 2003, Russell Beebe was commissioned by Lloyd Matthew Haines to create a 20-foot sculpture from a standing dead White Oak Tree. “At first glance, the big tree gave me an indication of how my design would evolve, from the juncture of the first large branch down to the base. The very uniform trunk offered freedom to create while the divergence of the branch above would dictate form. This and Mr. Haines’ desire that the sculpture honor the Tree, our Wildlife and the Native Peoples who once lived in the area gave me the spectrum to create.”

These two sculptures are called Haudenosaunee Story Poles. Russell carved these sculptures over the course of 3 years. They were commissioned by the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois 6 Nations) and will reside in a town called Austerlitz in New York State. One depicts the story of creation and the other depicts the dance of the six nations. The tree trunks are Incense Cedar locally sourced close to Russell’s residence.

These two sculptures are called Haudenosaunee Story Poles. Russell carved these sculptures over the course of 3 years. They were commissioned by the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois 6 Nations) and will reside in a town called Austerlitz in New York State. One depicts the story of creation and the other depicts the dance of the six nations. The tree trunks are Incense Cedar locally sourced close to Russell’s residence.

See videos of Pole 1 creation, Part 1 and Part 2, and also Pole 2 Dance of Six Nations.