1. Native American Art Totem Poles
By: Val Ilyukhina

2. History of Totem Poles
The word "totem" is derived from the Algonkian word Dodem, originally meaning "to be related to someone" (i.e. someone who shares a family crest, or totem).
Native American totem poles are an ancient tradition of the Indian tribes of the Pacific Northwest Coast--Washington state in the USA, British Columbia in Canada--and some of the Athabaskan tribes of southern Alaska.

3. Totem Pole Designs The designs on them are as varied as the tribes.
The poles may depict
familiar legends,
clan lineages,
notable events,
illustrate stories,
commemorate historic persons,
represent shamanic powers,
objects of public ridicule.
Some figures serve as symbolic reminders of quarrels, murder, and/or debt.

4. Did You Know?
Comparable to putting a newspaper full of notices on a place card in front of City Hall, the Shame Pole was used for public ridicule and was usually erected to shame individuals or groups for unpaid debts.

5. Did You Know?
Vertical order of the images is believed to be a significant representation of importance...so important that "Low Man on the Totem Pole" has much less prestige and importance than the ones above. Having said that, there are poles where the more important images are at the bottom or in the middle.

6. Did You Know?
A totem pole is carved by a chief carver and apprentices. The lower part of the totem pole is the part most often looked at. To make sure the totem looks professional and well-executed, the chief carver personally carves the bottom ten feet of the pole...the inexperience apprentices carve the higher part.

7. What do the symbols mean?

8. There are 5 different types of symbols:
Animals
Birds
Fish
Insects
Miscellaneous Objects

9. WOLF- Intelligence & Leadership, Strong Sense of Family
Animals
WOLF- Intelligence & Leadership, Strong Sense of Family
BEAR -Strength, Learned Humility, Motherhood, Teaching
OTTER- Trusting, Inquisitive and Bright - Loyal Friendship
BEAVER- Creative, Artistic and Determined
SEAL- Bright, Inquisitive, Organized
KILLER WHALE- Traveler & Guardian, Symbol of Good
FROG- Spring & New Life - Communicator, Stability

10. DOVE- Love, Gentleness and Kindness
Birds
DOVE- Love, Gentleness and Kindness
EAGLE- Great Strength, Leadership and Prestige
HAWK- Strength Far Sighted
RAVEN- Creation & Knowledge, Bringer of the Light
HUMMINGBIRD- Love, Beauty, Intelligence, Spirit Messenger
HERON- Patience, Graceful and Easy Going
LOON- Peace, Tranquility, Generous Giving Nature
THUNDERBIRD- Powerful & Mystical, A Leader
KINGFISHER- Luck, Patience, Speed and Agility
OWL- Wisdom

11. DOGFISH- Persistence and Strength, A Born Leader
HALIBUT- Life protector, Strength and Stability
SALMON- Dependability and Renewal - A Provider

12. BUMBLEBEE- Honesty, Pure Thinking - Willingness and Drive
Insects
BUMBLEBEE- Honesty, Pure Thinking - Willingness and Drive
COPPER- Wealth and Prestige
DRAGON FLY- Ever-changing Life

13. EAGLE FEATHER- Good Luck to Both Giver and Receiver
Miscellaneous
EAGLE FEATHER- Good Luck to Both Giver and Receiver
MOON- Protector and Guardian of the Earth by Night
SUN- Healing Energy, Guardian of the Earth by Day

14. Now It’s Your Turn!
Today, we will be making our own Totem Poles, to tell the story of the tribe you are working with.
Get with your group and decide on the story you want to tell
Fill in your ideas on the graphic organizer
Sketch out what you want your Totem Pole to look like
Make the Totem Pole using art supplies

16. Resources and For Further Information
Information for this presentation was found at
Native American Totem Poles
Totem Pole Symbols
To find out more…
Native American Totem Poles
Native American Inventions
Totem Pole Exploration
Native American Legends
Totem Poles Past and Present
Wikipedia- Totem Pole