Native American Portrait Of Pokanoket Sachem
Harry “The Hawk” Quanunon Edmonds
20″ x 24“, Oil on Canvas, 2019
by Charles C. Clear III
As the saying goes, “Every picture tells a story.” Let me share the story behind this portrait of a Native American man.
On July 29, 2017, I attended a Native American naming ceremony at a friend’s home in Pawtuxet, Rhode Island. It was my first time at such an event, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. At first, it felt like a typical gathering—people eating, drinking, talking, and laughing. But there was a distinct difference: several men were dressed in full Native regalia, gleaming in the summer sunlight. They were a stunning sight! Naturally, everyone, myself included, wanted to take their picture. I snapped a few group shots.
The Pokanokets
Later, I sat with William Guy, the Sagamore (Chief) of the Pokanoket Nation, and tribal elders Harry “The Hawk” Edmonds and his brother Lee “Braveheart” Edmonds by the poolside bar. I told them I had never heard of the Pokanokets and assumed that Rhode Island belonged solely to the Narragansetts. They kindly explained that the Pokanokets were the original inhabitants when the Pilgrims arrived in 1620. Their ancestral lands stretched from the eastern tip of Cape Cod through southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island, all the way to the Connecticut River and north to the Charles River. The heart of their territory was a region called Sowams, which is now divided into the towns of Bristol, Barrington, and Warren in Rhode Island.
Tragically, after King Philip’s War in 1676, most of the Pokanokets were either killed, sold into slavery, or absorbed into other tribes. The survivors, particularly those over the age of 14, were forbidden from uttering the name “Pokanoket” under penalty of death. I was deeply moved by this revelation of local history and listened intently, fascinated by their stories. The elders were warm and welcoming, sharing humorous anecdotes that had everyone laughing. I could have stayed and listened to them for hours.
The Naming Ceremony
Eventually, it was time for the ceremony to begin. Guests were invited to gather in the backyard, where a line formed at a gate. Before entering, each person passed through a cloud of burning sage. One by one, we raised our arms and turned in a circle as Harry “The Hawk” Edmonds fanned us with the sage, enveloping us in its sweet-smelling smoke. I can’t recall if this was a purification ritual or a blessing, but I felt grateful for both.
Once inside the circle, there was an undeniable sense of sacred energy in the air. We stood together, holding hands, and the importance of the event was palpable. Prayers were offered, the Pokanoket language was spoken, and two young adults were bestowed new names. The entire atmosphere was joyous and full of celebration.
Autumn 2019
Fast forward to the fall of 2019, when I was commissioned to paint a portrait of Harry “The Hawk” Edmonds as a surprise gift. The challenge was that there were no suitable reference photos available. Then I remembered the photos I had taken at the naming ceremony two years earlier. While they were group shots and the faces were small, they served as a valuable reference for the portrait.
Painting Mr. Edmonds’ face itself was not difficult; the challenge lay in capturing the intricate details of his regalia. Each feather, bead, and symbol on his attire had deep meaning. As we sat by the pool that day, he shared with me the significance of each element of his regalia—nothing was merely decorative. I made it my mission to capture every minute detail in the portrait.
Finally, I chose a simple blue sky as the backdrop, reflecting the spirit of the “Hawk” himself.
Charles C. Clear III
cc@oceanstateart.com