What is a story about totem poles?
Totem poles are a traditional way of telling the stories of First Nation families and clans, and of keeping records of important historical events. The stories that totem poles tell may be a myth, a legend, or honour Indigenous peoples through symbols. The crests on a totem pole belong to a family and tell its story.
What is the theme of the short story totem?
The central theme of the story is the neglect of the problems of First Nations people by the Canadian government. The issues First Nation people deal with in Canadian society is known, but they are ignored like the totem in the story.
What is the shortest totem pole?
Kake, Alaska—132 feet (40 m), single log carving, Tlingit. Victoria, British Columbia (Beacon Hill Park)—127.7 feet (38.9 m), raised in 1956, Kwakwaka’wakw, carved by Mungo Martin with Henry Hunt and David Martin.
What is the purpose of a totem pole for kids?
The tall, carved logs called totem poles were erected by prominent people among certain Northwest Coast Indians. The carved and painted faces on a pole represented the owner’s totem animal or bird. A totem was a person’s mythical ancestor and might help in gaining power in war, hunting, whaling, or other activities.
What is the most important part of a totem pole?
But traditionally, the bottom figure on a totem pole is the most important one. The head carver is in charge of this portion of the totem (the bottom 10 feet) since it is most visible and more detailed than the higher regions [source: Totem Poles: An Exploration].
Is it OK to say totem pole?
“Climbing the totem pole” or “Low man on the totem pole” “When saying that someone is on the top or bottom of the totem pole, this can be perceived as insensitive because there is no ‘bottom’ in the same sense,” says Waters. “This comment isn’t necessarily offensive; it is however, insensitive.”
What is the conflict in totem?
The conflict of this story is caused by the Totem pole in the corner of the Seaviews-show. Even when the director and his employees try to move it down to the basement of the museum, another Totem pole shows up, of course accompanied by an even more annoying sound than the previous.
Do totem poles make noises?
(The chuckling noise that the totem pole makes disturbs the people in the museum and when they start ignoring the totem pole the noise finally goes away.)
How do you identify a totem pole?
Identifying Totem Pole Symbols and Images The images carved on the Totem Pole were carved to represent human and animal faces rather than to look exactly like them. Each figure bore an identifying symbol. Erect ears on a Totem Pole figure distinguished an animal from a man.
Is it better to be higher or lower on a totem pole?
…the bottom of all totem pole is sometimes the best carved part of the whole pole. Meaning wise, the low man has a much or more meaning than other figures. So while the general meaning seems to be that higher is better, traditionally for totem poles – as is explained by NCIS – lower is better.
Is being low on the totem pole good?
A “low man on the totem pole” is a person of no status or power, someone at the bottom of a hierarchy. According to Canadian naturalist Pat Kramer, an expert on First Nations culture, the lowest figures on the totem pole are often considered the most prestigious.
How does a totem pole tell a story?
The stories that totem poles tell may be a myth , a legend , or honour Indigenous peoples through symbols . The crests on a totem pole belong to a family and tell its story. Once the stories of each crest are known, the totem poles really come alive.
What are some facts about totem poles?
Totem Pole Facts. Totem Pole. Some towering nearly forty feet high (12 meters) Native American Indian totem poles, carved from the trunks of massive trees, are a stunning example of Native American Indian art.
What are facts about totem poles?
13 totally terrific totem pole facts A record of events. Some totem poles are a recording of important events that happened in the past. Totem pole meanings. But there are different kinds of totem poles that have other meanings. Origin of the word. Totem pole colours. They’re really tall! Special wood. Totem pole creators Totem pole animals. Carving tools. Carving styles.
What is the purpose of a totem pole?
The totem pole’s main purpose is to tell a story with symbols, typically animals and people. The story usually details the history and wealth of the family that commissioned it. Traditionally, totem poles have been used to commemorate special events.