Totem Poles
First Nations in Canada
• Please copy your own notes from the
following slides.
• These notes are to help you with your
next summative assignment
History
• A totem pole tells a real life or mythical story.
• The history of the Canadian totem pole goes back for
generations.
• Totems have multiple Northwest Native figures carved on
tall, western cedar poles.
• Each figure represents a meaning, a Northwest Native
family's crest or even a coat of arms recording their
family history.
• Some tribes made totem poles as giant human welcome
figures.
• For example, the Coast Salish people in southern BC and
western Washington state carved large human figures
on poles to represent ancestors and spirit helpers.
Salish
Totem pole in
British
Columbia,
Canada
• Memorial poles were often placed in front of
houses in honour of deceased chiefs or on
top of the remains of important individuals.
• The first Northwest Coast Native tribes who
made totems as part of West Coast art were
the Haida, Tlingit and Tsinshian in BC and
southeast Alaska in the early 1880’s.
• Totem pole use spread to other tribes in the
Northwest region over the years.
Potlatch Ceremony
• Performed whenever new totem poles were raised.
• Potlatches were made illegal in Canada during the
late 1800’s and most Northwest native tribes
stopped making large totem poles
• This anti-potlatch law was dropped in 1951 and the
Native people resumed carving totem poles.
• Many totem poles have been specially
commissioned and placed in both public locations
as well as in private art collections around the
world.
• The art of pole carving is now practised by artists
from other Native groups
Meaning and Purpose of the Totem Pole
• Meanings of the designs are as varied as the cultures
which produce them
• All represent pictography, or writing with pictures.
• Totem poles may be carved to recount familiar legends,
clan lineages, or notable events, to illustrate stories, to
commemorate historic persons and/or to represent
shamanic powers
• "Some of the figures on the poles constitute symbolic
reminders of quarrels, murders, debts, and other
unpleasant occurrences about which the Natives prefer
to remain silent... The most widely known tales...are
familiar to almost every native of the area...”
• Totem poles were never objects of worship
• The association with "idol worship" was an
idea from local Christian missionaries.
• The same assumption was made by certain
early European explorers
• Later explorers found that totem poles were
never treated reverently; they seemed only
occasionally to generate allusions or
illustrate stories; and were usually left to rot in
place when people abandoned a village.
• Another
Salish
Totem
Construction and Maintenance
• The raising of a totem pole is almost never done using
modern methods
• The traditional ceremony and process that is still followed
by the artists uses a great wooden scaffold and hundreds
of strong men haul the pole upright into its footing while
others steady the pole from side ropes and brace it with
cross beams.
Haida people raising
a totem pole
• Once the pole is standing, a potlatch is typically
held where the carver is formally paid and other
traditional activities are conducted.
• The carver performs a celebratory dance next to
the pole while wielding the tools used to carve it.
• The base of the pole is burnt before standing
to provide a sort of rot resistance, and the
fire is made with chips carved from the pole.
Rules and Customs
• Each culture has complex rules and customs
regarding the designs represented on poles.
• The designs themselves are considered the property
of a particular clan or family group.
• Pictures, paintings, and other copies of the designs
may be an infringement of possessory rights of a
certain family or cultural group.
• There are no set guidelines indicating the order of
the images on the pole: the most revered of gods
appear on the tops of many poles as well as on the
bottoms.
The World's Largest Totem Pole
• Has been claimed by several
towns along the coast:
* Alert Bay, British Columbia — 173
feet (56.4 m), Kwakiutl
* Vancouver, British Columbia
(Maritime Museum) — 100 feet
(30.5 m), Kwakiutl,
* Victoria, British Columbia
(Beacon Hill Park) — 127.5 feet
(38.9 m), Kwakiutl
* Kalama, Washington — 140 feet
(42.6 m), carved by Chief
Lalooska
* Kake, Alaska — 137.5 feet (41.9
m), Tlingit
There are disputes over
which is genuinely the
tallest, depending on
construction from a
single log or the carver.
Competition for making
the tallest pole is still
prevalent, although it is
becoming more
difficult to find trees of
such heights.
Haida Poles Thunder Park
What Animal are You?
• As we go through the list of animals, write down any that
you feel pertain to you.
Bear: is known for its period of hibernation. Bear can help us
with the ability to turn inward to access our strength and
honour your nature cycles. He teaches us when it is time
to act and when it is time to be still.
Beaver: Has an amazing ability to build and create.
Beavers can help you solve problems by creating solid
solutions
Buffalo/Bison: brings abundance and healing.
Cougar: A symbol of power. Cougar teaches you to
balance your own. Cougar responds to any challenge
with swiftness.
Coyote Is known as the trickster. He calls on us to look
truthfully at our selves and our behaviour.
Crow: a messenger, keeper of sacred law who sees with a
unified eye (non-duality)
Deer: alert and a symbol of sensitivity and kindness.
Dolphin: messengers between water and sky. They are
playful and intelligent. They bring the message of
harmony and balance.
Eagle: A symbol of freedom and perspective. As a
representation of great spirit eagle carries our prayers to
the sky. He teaches us to fly.
Elk: teaches about stamina, the importance of pacing
yourself enabling you to successfully complete your
chosen task
Fox: cunning and clever he moves with the utmost
discretion. Fox teaches us to slow down and observe.
Frog: assists with the cleansing of our emotions. With the
element of water frog shows us how to start afresh.
Hawk: symbol of observation and awareness.
Horse: represents strength and freedom. Horse teaches us
how to use our power gracefully.
Mole: explores below the surface by digging a little deeper
therefore he helps us with our subconscious minds. Mole
will help you explore the hidden parts of yourself.
Moose: teaches us to be proud of our accomplishments.
Otter: the master at enjoying life. Otter is playful and
chatty. The otter reminds us that play is a important
aspect to enjoying our lives fully.
Owl: represents wisdom. Owl has amazing vision bringing
the gift of insight.
Rabbit: A symbol of fertility. Rabbit help us reveal our
hidden talents.
Raven: the messenger from spirit world. He represents
mystery develop your intuition.
Snake: Symbolises transformation and the shedding of ones
skin.
Spider: Shows us the connection of all life through the
power of her web.
Squirrel: Is prepared for anything that life may present. They
are extremely adaptable and teach us to trust that with
preparation our own life will be simple and safe.
Turtle: Is protected by her shell. She represents mother
earth to some tribes.
Whale: Are the record keepers of the ocean. They bring us
the gift of telepathy and teach us the value of sound.
Wolf: Is a great teacher. He helps you find the answers
within yourself. Associated with the moon wolf will help
you develop your intuition.
Natural Elements
• Sun
• Moon
• Stars
• Wind
• Rain
• Snow