Tomorrow, when my class opens the wall for social studies, I will have a lot of background knowledge about how the Native Americans used their resources to construct totem poles and what the symbols mean on them. I was just WONDERing if when you are presented the pole of shame, would they put it in front of your house and let you keep it so you remain embarrassed of your sin? The third new fact that I learned was that not only do totem poles symbolize indigenous stories, but the figures on them give a different mood in the story. The second thing I learned was that totem poles can represent anything from social statuses to death to shame. Some of the things I learned are that totem poles symbolize stories or important events (I thought that it represented the object that Native Americans worship). In class, we found out that since there are more trees and wildlife in the Northwest, that the Indians will have more totem poles because of all the big trees and resources that they can use. Right now in social studies, we are learning about the Northwest Native Americans and the Native Americans of the Plains. This Wonder was astonishing! I learned so many new, interesting facts about totem poles. If I have time, I will try to do the the try it out! Thanks for this WONDER! If we start talking about totem poles in social studies, I will have all this background knowledge in my head I will answer every single question. Now, because of this phenomenal wonder, I have 1,000000000000000 facts in my brain. There was one question about totem poles and I barely new what they were. There were flash cards and we had to sort them by the tribes. It was about Southern Americans and Northern Americans. In social studies, we are learning about Native Americans, and one time we were doing a little activity. I WONDER how the totem pole carving started, in what year? The 1800s or 1700s, maybe you can help me out. I also learned that totem poles don't only represent culture of the Native Americans, they show meaning of family and deceased people. I NEVER new that totem poles represent traits and characteristics of each clan or story embodies. Today I learned so many new facts that I don't even know what fact to start with. WOW!!! THIS WONDER IS INCREDIBLE!!! Hi, my name is Betty, and I am from Mrs. Native carvers in the Northwest continue to carve totems as symbols of their cultural pride and clan kinship. Though the totem pole has been a part of history for decades, totem poles are still created today. Blue-green was made from copper sulfide.Ĭommon figures found on totem poles include the raven (a symbol of The Creator), the eagle (representing peace and friendship), the killer whale (a symbol of strength), the thunderbird, the beaver, the bear, the wolf and the frog. Red came from red ochre, a clay-like material. Black was the most common, made by grinding soot, graphite or charcoal. It is said to represent the unpaid debt the oil company owes for damages caused by the oil spill in Valdez, Alaska.Ĭolors used to paint totem poles were limited. A famous shame pole erected in Cordova, Alaska, included the face of an oil company businessman. Shame poles are taken down once the person has made amends. Shame poles are carved to embarrass and ridicule someone who has done something wrong. Mortuary poles are also raised in honor of the dead and include a small compartment for the ashes of the deceased.Īnother interesting type of totem pole is the shame pole. Memorial poles are carved in honor of a deceased clan member. Genealogy poles are erected in front of a family's home to represent the owner's clan or social status. There are many other types of totem poles. Instead, they represent traits and characteristics each clan or story embodies.
These totems are used as a way to record the history and legends of the tribes.įigures on a totem pole are not gods to be worshipped. On these poles, each figure on the totem represents part of a story. Some totem poles represent stories or important events. Totem poles serve many purposes beyond their beauty, and their meanings are as varied as the cultures that make them. In North America, totem poles are part of the cultures of many indigenous peoples of Alaska, British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest. Totem poles are sculptures carved from large trees, such as the Western Red Cedar.