Family ponders giving totem pole to Port of Kalama

The Wineberg family, who own the 140-foot Lelooska totem pole that used to tower over the Kalama Marine Park, is considering an agreement to donate it to the Port of Kalama.

Port Economic Development Manager Eric Yakovich said the agreement is in the hands of the family members, and a long-term plan for the pole is “moving forward slowly.”

The pole stood in Marine Park for 44 years but was taken down in September because of safety concerns. The totem is still at the park, lying behind the port’s new amphitheater.

The port hopes to preserve or restore the decayed landmark but does not have total control over its fate.

The port leases the poles from the Wineberg family for $1 per year.

The port has been working with the family on a plan for the pole since before it was taken down.

The totem was carved by Chief Don Lelooska at his Kalama shop in the early 1960s. It was commissioned by William Wineberg for display at the World’s Fair but was not completed.