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Ensign Albert P. Niblack, U.S. Navy, conducted surveys of southern Alaska and northern British Columbia from 1885-1887. Niblack arrived in Old Kasaan about two years after Chief Skowal had died. He reported that according to the custom of the region, Skowal’s body was first displayed in state dressed in the ceremonial robes of a chief. Later it was enclosed in a casket and deposited on a pile of boxes containing his clothing and ceremonial dance paraphernalia. The pile of boxes, all full of valuables, the row of coppers, the bronze howitzer, etc., all indicate the rank and wealth of the deceased.

Chief Skowal lying in state at Kasaan village. The casket is surrounded by emblems of his wealth and prowess. Taken in 1885 by Ensign A. P. Niblack, USN.
Photo courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution National Anthropological Archives (Neg. #3867)

Chief Skowal's mask, currently a part of the Fowler Museum of Cultural History. Made of wood, paint and cloth, it was a gift to the Museum from the Wellcome Trust.
Photograph used with permission of the Fowler Museum, University of California Los Angeles.

From interviews with Kasaan villagers, Ensign Niblack learned that Chief Skowal was a strong, aggressive, even tyrannical chief. According to Niblack's reports, "Skowal was always an enemy to the missionaries and resisted their encroachments to the last. He did much to keep his people to the old faith and to preserve among them the customs and manners of his forefathers."

According to Walter Young, Skowal married the sister of the Yádas (Eagle) chief, Kagwanshingá. Young did not recall the wife’s name. Skowal later married a second wife, Wáthlajád. Skowla had no children of his own, but adopted a daughter, Úlljueth (Mary). Úlljueth married an Austrian, Marquis Charles Vincent Baronovich, who she met while visiting Victoria with Skowal. Úlljueth and Charles eventually moved to Kasaan and lived in a European design house next to Skowal’s houses, where Baronovich set up a trading post. They had 14 children: the oldest was Caroline who married Paul Young. Walter Young is the son of Caroline and Paul.

Nahíwaq

Chief Skowal owned two houses: Nahałás (“house climbing up” or “More Back House”) and Nahíwaq. Nahałás was the older house, but as Skowal gained more power and prestige, he needed a bigger, more befitting home and built one of the largest homes in the village, Nahíwaq. Informants have given conflicting interpretations of the name Nahíwaq. Walter Burgess claimed that it was named Southeaster, after the wind, because Skowal held so many celebrations that the house was never quiet. A more prevalent translation is the Rib House, referring to two tall totems standing in front of the house. Southeaster may have been an earlier name and Rib House a later explanation as one of the poles was not erected until 1889, seven years after Skowal’s death.

Everyone agrees that Skowal’s successor erected the second pole, but disagreement exists as to the identity of this person. Some sources indicate that Skowal’s nephew, Paul Jones, succeeded him. Other informants say Skowal’s brother, K’ítchskwa’as, or Skowal’s brother in conjunction with another man, G’ú, became chief of the clan.

In either case, Nahíwaq remained in Skowal’s family and his descendants continued to live in the house until the entire village moved to New Kasaan between 1902 and 1904. Forest Service personnel became interested in making Old Kasaan a national monument and restoring Nahíwaq. However, in 1915, a fire of undetermined origin swept Old Kasaan, destroying numerous house and poles in the village. Nahíwaq was burned to the ground and Skowal’s pole damaged beyond repair. The other pole was untouched and eventually moved to New Kasaan and restored. The damaged pole withstood the battering of high tides, devastating fire and 100 years of rainfall before it finally toppled in 1980. The only evidence of Nahíwaq is three charred house posts standing along what was once the back wall.