From North America to the Netherlands

How do you make that connection between the Netherlands and the Kwakiutl? The small man in the middle of the pole plays an important role in this connection. According to the maker, he symbolizes the traveler who brought the totem pole from North America to the Netherlands. His name is Waghuwidi, a Kwakiutl chief.

Nowadays, totem poles are rarely made for native North American families. They are increasingly being made for non-indigenous groups in North America and around the world. These 'commercial' totem poles contain less specific cultural messages and more general stories. They are meant for anyone to admire or use (Totem Poles by Marjorie M. Halpin 1981: page 30).

Back to the traveler. He's sitting on something. What is it?