The totem pole, Kaa Kaakch Aadei Kusawátx.yé (How Our Uncle Would Raise His Nephews), housed in Haa Kaak Hás Ka Hídi (Our Uncles' House), further known as the Vocational Training & Resource Center, was given its name during a ceremony on June 1, 2001. The totem name honors our maternal Uncles who, in Lingít society, were responsible for the training, discipline and teaching of his nephews.  Archie Cavanaugh, Sr., passes on the following story.

 

"How Our Uncle Would Raise His Nephews"

An Uncle took his two nephews away from the people because they were misbehaving.  He had to try and correct their behavior.  To do so, he took them to an island where there was a cave called Taa Took.  He entered the dark area of the cave knowing he would find a kooshdaakaa, which he covered up.  This creature was known as the "bogeyman" of the Tlingits, a terrifying and dreaded thing, part man and part land otter.  Later that night the Uncle took his nephews to the cave to tell them a story.  He told them how he was defeated during various times of his life.  When he finished, he would tell another story of defeat.  Each time, his nephews would say, "I wish I was there, Uncle, I wish I was there to help you."

The next evening, he brought the nephews to the cave to tell more stories of his defeats.  Upon finishing his story on the third night, he went over to the kooshdaakaa and took off its cover.   It made a noise and emitted a horrible smell.  When the Uncle turned around, his nephews were not there; they had run away in fear. Uncle had to go and look for them to bring them back.  When they returned, the kooshdaakaa was gone.  Uncle told them the reason for bringing them to the cave...

The boys were different after that.  Because of what they learned from Uncle, they were able to come out of life victorious.