1. Totem Poles

2. What is a TOTEM POLE? Alaska 1940

3. Totems A totem pole is a sculpture made of great trees.
Because it is made of trees, they decay easily in the rainforest environment. 
Totems are carved into and painted onto containers, house fronts, canoes, masks, intricately-woven blankets, ceremonial dresses, weapons, armor, and tools.
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.

4. Who makes Totem Poles? Alaska 1899

5. Totem poles are traditional art of the Native American tribes along the Pacific Northwest in North America

6. These cultures have occupied, and in some cases still live in parts of Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana

7. B.C. ca.1910

8. Pacific Northwest in North America
B. C. ca.1900

9. What is the purpose of a totem pole?

10. Totem poles The purpose of the totem poles varies among 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.

13. Because the Northwest Coast is a rainforest, the wood rots quickly
Because the Northwest Coast is a rainforest, the wood rots quickly. Because of this, there are very few examples of totem poles carved before Another reason why there are few old examples is because missionaries thought them to be religious symbols and had them burned.

14. Artists still carve totem poles today
Artists still carve totem poles today. Today's carvers charge from $500 to $3,000 per foot for their totem poles.

15. Types of Totem Poles
Crest Totem Poles: Usually part of a house, they portray a family's ancestry and the emblems of its clan.
Story-telling Totem Poles: The most common type, these are made for a wedding, to preserve history or to ridicule bad debtors.
Mortuary Totem Poles: These totem poles are made to honor the dead. Cremation ashes are often kept in a compartment in the back. A single figure represents the deceased person or their clan.

16. 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.

17. Sometimes, however, an important family will place their family crest on the bottom of the totem pole. This makes it look like it is supporting all the other figures. Because a tree is thickest at its base, this figure would be a lot bigger too, making it seem more important. Placement on the bottom also brings that figure closer to the people, increasing their interaction with that crest.

22. B.C. ca.1910

24. Alaska ca.1938

25. B.C. ca.1909

26. Native groups who make totem poles: Bella Coola, Haida, Kwakiuts, Makah, Nez Perce, Nisqualli, Nootka, Quinault, Puyallup, Salish, Snohomish, Spokane, Shuswap, Swinomish, Tlingit, Tsimshian

27. 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

28. Love, Beauty, Intelligence, Spirit Messenger
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
     

29. These tribes relied a great deal on food from the sea, like salmon, seals, sea otters, whales, and oter animals

36. Personal Totem Sculpture
Product
Create a totem to be put together for a class totem pole.
Your section must:
a. Be bilaterally symmetrical
b. Be a stylized animal: head or whole body
c. Have one symbol that repesents your family
d. Have one symbol that represents NC
e. Be made of plaster mesh or papier mache’
f. Fit on the class totem pole
g. Have parts that stick out on the sides but
not the top or bottom
h. Be completely painted
i. Show excellent craftsmanship
j. Be complete, sturdy, and awesome!

37. Process List the symbols you will use for the project:
Personal animal totem
Family totem
State totem
Sketch at least two different layouts in your sketchbook. Your Personal animal totem is the body of the section. The family and state totems may be sculptural or painted onto your personal totem.
If approved, start putting your sculpture together using available materials.
When your sculpture is ready, papier mache’ or plaster mesh it.
You must have at least two complete layers!
When dry, cut strings, glue down problem areas, sand if needed.
Paint the whole sculpture. You may glue items to it after it is painted. Make it personal and fun!

38. Studio time: Stay on task continuously throughout the class period
Keep art room as possible: “clean as you go”
Participate in clean up and put materials back where they belong
Help teacher and classmates