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Totem Poles

Totem Poles. 2 nd Grade. What are totem poles?. Totem poles are monumental structures usually carved from great trees, like Western Red Cedars. Totem poles are similar to what we would think of as a family tree. They tell a story about a tribe, family or individual.

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Totem Poles

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  1. Totem Poles 2nd Grade

  2. What are totem poles? • Totem poles are monumental structures usually carved from great trees, like Western Red Cedars. • Totem poles are similar to what we would think of as a family tree. They tell a story about a tribe, family or individual. • Totem poles were never an objects of worship.

  3. Where were totem poles first built? • Totem poles are an ancient tradition for tribes along the Pacific Northwest Coast - Washington state - British Columbia in Canada - and some of the Athabaskan tribes of southern Alaska

  4. How is a totem pole constructed? • A totem pole is usually carved by a chief carver and some apprentices.

  5. What’s on a totem pole? • Human Figures • Spirits • Animals • Birds • Insects • Water creatures • Celestial figures

  6. Interesting facts. • There are totem poles called Shame poles. These were used for public ridicule and were usually made to shame individuals or groups for unpaid debts. • 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).

  7. What the figures mean • Thunderbird:Spiritual attributes include power and mystery. The Thunderbird is a leader. • Beaver: Their upturned tails are a symbol of wealth. The beaver is a creative, artistic and determined. • Bear: Spiritual attributes include ferocity, strength, humility, motherhood, teaching. • Wolf: Spiritual attributes include intelligence and leadership. • Owl:Spiritual attributes include wisdom, ability to see beyond normal view. • Siskiutl - Two-Headed Sea Serpent:The sea serpent is an enemy of the Thunderbird. Is feared because it can pull war canoes into the site of a battle and can turn enemy warriors into stone with a single glance. • Butterfly: Spiritual attributes include transformation and acceptance of change. • Human Image: usually a family member or a loved one. • Dragon Fly:Spiritual attributes include ever-changing life.

  8. Resources • http://www.support-native-american-art.com/Native-American-Totem-Poles.html • http://www.crystalinks.com/totempoles.html • http://users.imag.net/~sry.jkramer/nativetotems/basics.htm • http://visual-arts-education.suite101.com/article.cfm/totem_poles • http://www.papertotempoles.com/

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