totem poles - junior school · 2020-04-17 · • totem poles were carved out of giant cedar trees...
TRANSCRIPT
Totem PolesArt of the Pacific Northwest Natives
This term we are learning about the Native American people. Today we are learning everything we need to know
about Totem Poles. In the coming weeks your project will be designing and creating your very own totem pole.
What is a Totem Pole?
A totem pole is a piece of artwork that was originally created by the Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest.
• Totem poles were carved out of giant cedar trees by the Northwest Coastal Indians.
• A totem pole is kind of like a book you could read, but instead of using words it uses symbols of animals/birds.
• Totem poles were used as a way of passing down stories.
What is a Totem Pole?
• Totem poles were used to represent a tribe, clan, family, or person.
• Having a totem pole was a great honour and often families would trade all their possessions to have one.
What is a Totem Pole?
How were they carved?→ After a tree was cut down, carvers would begin at the top and work their way down.
→ A totem pole could be big or small. A large totem pole might be more than 60 feet high and could take two to three years to carve!
→ Once carved, poles were painted with
natural paints and were most often
black, red, blue, green, and white.
Native Beliefs
Native Americans believe that each person is connected to nine different animals that will accompany each person through life, acting as guides. Native beliefs further explain that though people may identify with different animal guides throughout their lifetime, it is the one totem animal that acts as the main guardian spirit.
It is important to remember that they were NEVER made as
objects of worship.
They have a shared connection, either through interest in the animal, characteristics, dreams or other interactions.
This Animal Guide offers power and wisdom to the individual when they "communicate” with it, conveying their respect and trust. This does not necessarily mean that you actually pet or spend time with this animal, more that you are open to learning its lessons.
Animal Guide
Other Information→ The vertical order of images is widely believed to be a significant representation of importance.
The higher the figures on the pole the more important or prestigious they are. This is where the phrase "low man on the totem pole" comes
from. → There are very few examples of totem poles
carved before 1900 because the Northwest coast is a rainforest. Also missionaries thought they were religious symbols so had them burned.
→ Artists still carve totem poles today. Today's carvers charge from $500 to $3,000 per foot for
their totem poles.
What are the four most interesting things you found out about Totem Poles today?
What are you feeling about this project right now?
What don’t you like about the Totem Poles?
What do you like the best about the Totem Poles?