Baton

Painted dance baton called "Keyt-gooshe" or, "Killer whale's dorsal fin," carried by a presenter in conducting the ceremonial dance songs. The thin, wooden body is designed to flex as it moves which then tells the dancers how to react. A killer whale's head is carved into the lower end of the baton. Fringe along the back of the lower end is made from hair and represents the breath of the whale. Wool fringe under the whale's head represents water and the red circle toward the center of the baton is used to identify the whale. On the front, an eagle is painted spotting a salmon, which is depicted at the tip of the baton. On the back, a similar design is painted but the eagle is ready to attack, as indicated by the raised tail feathers, and the salmon is aware and ready to defend. (Shotridge, 1919, Museum Journal v. X, no. 4, p. 213)