SEATTLE -- The Burke Museum -- and 12s across the area -- are learning a bit of history behind the mask that inspired the Seahawks logo this week.
The Native American transformation mask that inspired the logo arrived at the Burke Museum and is being studied by Bruce Alfred, a member of the Namgis Band of the Kwakwaka’wakw Nations. After it is carefully looked at, it will be on display to the public.
Now that the mask is in Seattle, researchers have discovered cool details that were previously unknown.
From the Kickstarter campaign blog:
Bringing the mask to the museum is part of a fundraising campaign headed by the museum. The idea came to fruition last year during the Seahawks' Super Bowl run, when many blogs and commenters speculated about the origin of the logo.
Seeking the correct record, Burke Museum Curator Robin K. Wright recalled a conversation about its source being from a photo of a Kwakwaka’wakw transformation eagle mask from a private collection. Wright and students tracked down the mask to the University of Maine. The school agreed to donate the mask for the Burke Museum exhibit Here & Now: Native Artists Inspired. A fundraising campaign was put in place to safely transport the mask across the country.
The museum is still searching for donations, as the Kickstarter campaign has $5,209 left to raise before 12 p.m. on Nov. 10.
Click here to donate money to the campaign.