Dr. Walter A. Soboleff Sr. once said that there are many different types of totem poles — old traditional totems that speak of a clan’s history and legends, and new contemporary totems that bring the past and present together, “but the importance of each is for people of all backgrounds to gather together and enjoy the craftsmanship and each other’s friendship. To honor our stories in wood and retell them over again.”

On Saturday afternoon, in a filled Centennial Hall, Dr. Walter A. Soboleff Sr. was honored by a totem-sized memorial stretching higher than Tlingit legends spoken to him by his mother in childhood, and wider than the waters crossed by his Russian father to reach this land.

At the base of this totem memorial stood the Southeast Alaska Native Veterans and the Juneau Police Department Honor Guard who posted colors, and the procession of Executive Committees of the Alaska Native Brotherhood and Alaska Native Sisterhood walking arm in arm.

In the Tlingit language Selina Everson gave opening prayer to bless the sturdy structure.

There were verbal carvings by Sen. Albert Kookesh and Gov. Sean Parnell.

Kookesh offered a tale of when Soboleff was a minister whose sermons traveled the airwaves to reach vessels at sea and into remote villages.

“He made a mistake of saying on the radio that ‘I envy those of you who are sitting down and eating dry fish,” Kookesh said. “Over the next week he got a box from almost every town in Southeast Alaska. He always said after that he was very careful not to make his wishes known on the radio.”

Kookesh told Parnell that it was important to the state of Alaska that the governor came to an event such as this.

“Dr. Soboleff believed in you,” Kookesh said to Parnell. “Dr. Soboleff for all of his good stuff was a Republican.”

Parnell acknowledged the witticisms, “Senator, I did not know that Dr. Soboleff was a Republican.”

Parnell recounted a surprise visit to his office by Soboleff, and what the governor learned from it.

“The scriptures teach of people who are close enough to God that you can actually see his presence in their face,” Parnell said. “I think about Moses, I think about Daniel, about Joshua, those are the types of leaders the scriptures teach were close enough to God to see God’s presence in their face... and Dr. Soboleff was one of those men… You could not sit with him and look into his face and not see the love that is beyond human love.”

The totem Saturday grew thicker and stronger as more carvers there spoke of wisdom and gentleness.

Soboleff’s name was placed in the Alaska Native Brotherhood Grand Camp Book of Remembrance and on the Roll of Honor. His Accouterments were transferred to four grandchildren. ANB Grand Camp President Richard Jackson gave the Coogeinaa to Christopher Burke, ANB executive Brad Fluetsch gave the hat to Jacob Soboleff, ANB executive Willard Jackson gave the pin to Alexander Soboleff, ANB executive Alfred McKinley presented an ANB beaded tie to Stephen Soboleff. The grandchildren were then given the Oath of Office by ANB executive Dewey Skan.

Soboleff’s son Sasha said, before reading from his father’s Bible Micah 6:6-8, “He would often tell me, make sure when you read this book that you don’t just read it but you live it.”

Sasha’s reading ended with, “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good: and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.”

Soboleff’s 15 Native values were spoken of: 1 – Be obedient; the wise never test a rule. 2 – Respect elder, parents, property and the world of nature. Also, respect yourself so that others may respect you. 3 – Be considerate and patient. 4 – Be careful of how you speak, for words can be either pleasing or like a club. Traditionally, when you speak, those listening can imagine seeing your clan family line. 5 – Your food comes from the land and sea. To abuse either may diminish its generosity. Use what is needed. 6 – Pride in family, clan and traditions are found in love, loyalty and generosity. 7 – Share burdens and support each other. This is caring. 8 – Trespass not onto other’s rights, or offer royalty and/or restitution. 9 – Parents and relatives are responsible for the family education of children; men teaching boys and women teaching girls. 10 – Care and good health is important for success of the person or clan. 11 – Take not the property of others; an error reflects on the family and clan. 12 – In peace, living is better. 13 – Through famine, ice age, sickness, war and other obstacles, unity and self-determination is essential to survival. 14 – Good conduct is encouraged to please the spirit we believe is near. And 15 – Humor.

Soboleff’s totem Saturday was built with many different posts and appointments and clubs. Past District Governor of the Lions Club Neil Atkinson wondered who would sit in Soboleff’s recliner at the end of the basketball court during Gold Medal Tournament. Sealaska Corporation President and CEO Chris McNeil told how greatly his wisdom would be missed. Another mentioned that Soboleff joined the Alaska National Guard in 1951 and retired as a Lt. Colonel in 1971.

A significant insurance that Soboleff’s teachings will endure longer than the totems carved from the great red cedars of his youthful forests was the announcement by Sealaska Heritage Institute President Dr. Rosita Worl of a special honor in his name.

Soboleff has been an SHI trustee since 1985 and served as its chair since 1988 and in fact chaired a meeting of the Sealaska Heritage Institute eight days before his passing.

“He has helped lead the Sealaska Heritage Institute almost as long as it has been in existence,” Worl spoke to the gathering. “In addition to that he served as our consul of traditional scholars, his writings are there for our historic and cultural teachings... and it is my privilege to announce that the new Sealaska Heritage Center will be called the Dr. Walter Soboleff Center.”

As food was served among the many family, friends, and guests inside Centennial Hall, the reminder by Soboleff to “gather together and enjoy the craftsmanship and each other” spread amongst all. Much like Soboleff’s Tlingit and Russian heritage had moved through the state of Alaska, through Haida, Nisga’a, Gitk’san, Tsimshian, Haisla, Heiltsuk, Nuxalk, Oweekeno, Kwakwaka’wakw, Nuu-Chah-Nulth, Coast Salish, Makah, through the Eskimo people, through the prejudice of early days, through battles for native rights today, and through his words of wisdom, “In order to be a clan leader in this society you have to have children and grandchildren because then your words will be worth speaking.”

• Contact reporter Klas Stolpe at 523-2263 or at klas.stolpe@juneauempire.com.