Totem Poles
Pencil & Journal Please
What is a TOTEM POLE?
Alaska 1940
• A totem pole is a sculpture made of great trees.
• Because it is made of trees, they decay easily in
the rainforest environment.
• These poles are usually carved and painted onto
containers, house fronts, canoes, masks,
intricately-woven blankets, ceremonial dresses,
weapons, armor, and many other tools and
implements.
• The humans and animals made on the poles are
called crests, and is a family symbol, for
instance to show the family’s pride, history and
identity.
Who makes Totem Poles?
Alaska 1899
• Totem poles are traditional art of the Native
American tribes along the Pacific Northwest
in North America
• These cultures have
occupied, and in
some cases still live
in parts of Alaska,
British Columbia,
Washington,
Oregon, Idaho, and
Montana
Where are they found?
B.C. ca.1910
• Pacific Northwest in
North America
• This totem is British
Columbia ca.1900
What is there purpose?
• The purpose of the totem poles has a lot of
varieties between the cultures and the tribes.
• Some are made for the cultural message, while
others are made only for the artistic
presentation.
• They can be used to illustrate stories,
commemorate historical persons or to represent
shamanic or spiritual powers.
• What’s important to remember is that they were
NEVER made as objects of worship.
Other Facts?
B.C. ca.1910
• It is believed that SPIRITS enter & exit
through the eyes, nose and ears of the
faces
• The oldest tote is about 125 years old
• Totems rot from the top…down!
• 1792 the first image of a totem was drawn
• Totems are made from carvable trees like
the CEADER
Alaska ca.1938
B.C. ca.1909
Bella Coola, Haida,
Kwakiuts, Makah, Nez
Perce, Nisqualli,
Nootka,
Quinault, Puyallup,
Salish, Snohomish,
Spokane, Shuswap,
Swinomish,
Tlingit,
Tsimshian
Beaver
Creative, Artistic and Determined
BEAR
Strength, Learned Humility,
Motherhood, Teaching
BUMBLEBEE
Honesty, Pure Thinking - Willingness
and Drive
COPPER
Wealth and Prestige
DOGFISH
Persistence and Strength - A Born
Leader
DOVE
Love, Gentleness and Kindness
DRAGON FLY
Ever-changing Life
EAGLE
Great Strength, Leadership and
Prestige
EAGLE FEATHER
Good Luck to Both Giver and Receiver
FROG
Spring & New Life - Communicator,
Stability
HALIBUT
Life protector, Strength and Stability
HAWK
Strength Far Sighted
HERON
Patience, Graceful and Easy Going
HUMMINGBIRD
Love, Beauty, Intelligence, Spirit Messenger
KILLER WHALE
Traveler & Guardian - Symbol of Good
KINGFISHER
Luck, Patience, Speed and Agility
LOON
Peace, Tranquility - Generous Giving Nature
MOON
Protector and Guardian of the Earth by Night
OTTER
Trusting, Inquisitive and Bright - Loyal Friendship
OWL
Wisdom
RAVEN
Creation & Knowledge - Bringer of the Light
SALMON
Dependability and Renewal - A Provider
SEAL
Bright, Inquisitive, Organized
SUN
Healing Energy, Guardian of the Earth by Day
THUNDERBIRD
Powerful & Mystical - A Leader
WOLF
Intelligence & Leadership - Strong Sense of Family
These tribes relied a
great deal on food
from the sea, like
salmon, seals, sea
otters, whales, and
oter animals
How the project will be GRADED…
Personal Life Totem Poles
Product (Contents):
• 2 sketch designs before you begin…each one needs to
be at least ½ sheet of paper in size
• Your totem pole must have at least 3 or more separate
design elements that reflect your personality or life
history
• Totem must include at least one section the extends off
of the surface
• One complete COLORED life size final drawing of totem
pole before you begin the actual sculpture
• One GRAPHIC designed 3D sculptures of totem painted
with well throughout colors and designs outlined in black
Process (Craftsmanship):
• Drawing must be neat, colored, graphic, and
look exactly like what you will build for your 3D
sculpture
(Drawing will be graded separate and hold a strong value towards the
final product)
• Sculpture must be smoothed out, clean, graphic,
completely painted, and reflect a well crafted
design and outlined in black
Studio time:
• Stayed on task
• Supplies MUST be put away where they go!
• Worked continuously throughout the class
period
• Must participate in clean up & put materials
AWAY
• Make up any missed days: That means excused
or unexcused, 3 tardies = 1 absence