Totem Poles

Totem Poles

Monuments of Cedar Carving a bird from a block of wood is hard work, but imagine carving animals on a piece of wood as long as a tree trunk! Native peoples living along the Pacific coast of Alaska and Canada have been doing just that for hundreds of years. These carvings are called totem poles.

Totem Poles Speak Totem poles are carved in different styles and for different reasons. The figures carved on the poles have special meanings and help tell stories, Memorial poles describe someone's life or a special event. Other totem poles tell the history of a clan, or family group, and still others welcome visitors.

Many houses have totem poles that are part of the house itself. House poles are carved into the doorways, on the outside corners, or on poles that support the roof. These poles show the wealth and status of the family.

Mortuary poles are like gravestones. The carvings on the pole honor the life of a person who has died. They tell about important events and family relationships in the dead person's life. Some totem poles welcome visitors to a village. These are typically single human figures. They are put near a beach to show visitors that they are welcome.

This totem pole tells the legend of how Killer Whale clan took Black Bear for its crest, or special symbol.