Totem PolesPencil & 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
BUMBLEBEEHonesty, 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
EAGLEGreat Strength, Leadership and Prestige
EAGLE FEATHER Good Luck to Both Giver and Receiver
FROGSpring & 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