Canadian Art

Close your eyes and think of a landscape that you would like to be surrounded by. Write down the characteristics of that landscape. For example, sand, palm tree, etc…

Emily Carr

Carl Beam

Brian Jungen

Bill Reid

Totem poles serve to signify a clan or tribe status The animals and other carved figures of the pole symbolize the clan's history, ancestry, mythology, rights and privileges of the family who erected the pole. Stories and meanings of totem poles were shared orally with owners of the pole, the carver, family members and whomever else the owner chose to share. Because there was no written record or history the meanings of many totem poles cannot be translated or deciphered.

 Meaning of Totem Pole Colors  Black Black is a power color. Represents strength.  Blue Indicates the Underwater World: rivers, oceans, and lakes and sometimes for the sky and mountains in the distance. The emotional attributes for blue are sincerity and happiness  Green Represents the Earth realm: the hills, trees and mountains  Purple Is reserved for symbols of reverence, and distant mountains  Red Red appears on tongues and generally where ever the color appears naturally on animals, fish, birds. Emotional attributes are blood, war or bravery  White and light colors White symbolizes the Sky realm. White and light colors are used for emphasis to make other colors stand out. The emotional attributes for white are purity, peace, and death  Yellow Easily recognizable symbol of the sun. Emotional attributes are light and happiness

Contrary to the popular belief, the "low man on the totem pole" is the most important figure. Totem poles are read from bottom to top. Because the bottom figure is the one people see first, the most expert or chief carvers would take care of the bottom figures and allow apprentices and inexperienced carver take care of the middle and top portions.

Colors used on Totem Poles Color is also used to indicate directions just as a map today indicates arrows for South, East North and West. Directional colors are: Red - South Blue-Green - West Yellow - North White - East

 Raven - The mercurial trickster of Northwest Coast Native lore. Curious and mischievious, often misbehaving but never boring.  Sea Turtle - This totem is representative of Mother Earth.  Thunderbird - A mythological bird known to manifest the rolling of thunder while beating its wings and creating lightening when blinking it's eyes. Known to kill whales.  Eagle - Intelligent and resourceful. He rules the sky and is able to transform himself into a human.  Wolf - Very powerful totem who can help people that are sick or in need.  Bear - A teacher symbol as it is believed that Bear taught the People to catch salmon and pick berries.

 Frog - Known for bringing wealth and is associated with Copper Woman. In another myth, frog was held down in fire, when it burst lava flowed and engulfed an entire village.  Otter - The otter is a mischievous creature that is also a symbol of laughter, curiosity, grace, and empathy.  Salmon - The salmon symbolizes instinct, persistence, and determination.  Owl - The owl is a very respected animal and is thought to symbolize the souls of the departed.  Killer Whale - Whales are honored as strong and brave fish. The mythology of the killer whale is that is will bring food and assistance to a chief or other important person lying helpless and/or wounded.

As a class we are going to create a Totem Pole!