First grade Lesson 2- Totem Poles Artist-Tony Hunt 1942- Art Awareness First grade Lesson 2- Totem Poles Artist-Tony Hunt 1942- Stanley Park – Vancouver, British Colombia

Totem Poles Raising a totem pole takes many helping hands They were carved from giant cedar trees by Northwest Coastal Native Americans Some totems were up to 60 feet high and could take up to 2-3 years to carve. The totem tells a story through the design of each animal They were a way of passing stories down from generation to generation. The Native Americans used chisels, a maul or hammer made of stone, and an adz which worked like a small ax made from a sharp flat stone or animal horn. Some totems were painted with coal, clay, copper, berries and shells mixed with crushed salmon eggs. They used natural resources around them to decorate the totem. When it was ready to be raised a hole was dug in the ground and the totem was put into the hole. With many men using ropes, they pulled the pole upright as seen here. Totem Poles

A totem is a symbol that each Native American family or “clan” adopts A totem is a symbol that each Native American family or “clan” adopts. Each clan uses a different totem. There is a Raven Clan, the Beaver Clan, and many others. Many totems have animals on them that represent different things. Once you are familiar with the animals you can begin to understand the story they tell. CUED ST RA IG HT

Pacific Northwest totems have an oval shape called an “ovoid” that usually makes an eye or claw. Another common shape is the letter “U” The Beaver- has big front teeth and is the symbol of wealth, creativity The Bear- has a short snout and usually with its tongue sticking out. It is the symbol of power and strength. The Eagle- has a curved beak to the ground and is the symbol of wisdom The Whale- has a dorsal fin and is the symbol of power and bravery. It also means kind and wise. The Thunderbird- is usually at the top of the totem pole with it’s wings outstretched. It is the symbol of power of the sky and mystery. The Raven- Is the symbol of knowing and is a trickster Frog- Symbol of good, new life and communicator Totem Symbols

“Where Can I see Totem Poles?” Alaska Washington State Canada The most famous pole collection is in Vancouver’s Stanley Park, in Victoria’s Thunderbird Park and the Museum of Anthropology at UBC all the totems are relocated from their original locations around British Colombia Some have been given as gifts to Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II and even to France You can see one in Chicago in the Lakeview section of Lincoln Park!!! It was carved by Tony Hunt of British Columbia and it is Kwagu’l the Thunderbird. It was donated to the city in 1929 by James Kraft dedicated to the school children of Chicago. The original was moved back to British Columbia so the replica exists here today. “Where Can I see Totem Poles?”

Now we will create our own!