Israel Shotridge is one of Alaska's finest Tlingit carvers, he was born and raised in Ketchikan, Alaska in the heart of the Tongass National Forest which was named after his tribal ancestors; the Tongass Tribe (Taantakwaan), the SeaLion people. Israel is a member of the Bear Clan, which in Tlingit is written as "Teikweidee." Israel's Tlingit name, Kinstaadaal, means "The Bear That's Standing Up." His lineage is from his mother Esther Shea who was the matriarch of the Teikweidee - Taantakwaan of Ketchikan, from the Kaats Hit Bear House. His father Milton Jackson was a Kaagwantaan Tlingit from Klukwan, Alaska.
Over the past 25 years, Israel has accomplished many significant works of art. Most noted are the many replicated monumental tribal totem poles located throughout Southeast Alaska. Shotridge's totems stand in Totem Bight National State Park, Klawock, Alaska's Totem Park, Saxman, Alaska's Totem Park, and downtown Ketchikan. Three most significant totems to Shotridge's credit are the 55' Chief Johnson Totem Pole which Israel replicated in 1989 (see below) and two other more recent contemporary totem poles, the 40' KIC Totem Pole which honors the Native community of Ketchikan, Alaska and the 12' "Hall of Nations" U.S. Forest Service totem that is installed in the headquarters in Washington, D.C.
See Artwork by Israel Shotridge
