Title: Totem Poles ***
Headings: Totem Poles
Totem Poles
Northwest Indian Totem Poles

Content: Totem poles are carved and painted with symbols and totems or figures such as animals, that represent the emblems of clans or families and relates to their belief in Totemism. A totem is an emblem, such as an animal or plant, that is believed to have spiritual significance and watches over the family, clan, or tribe symbolizing their guardian spirit or helper refer to Totem Pole Art and Design. The word totem is derived from the Ojibwe (Chippewa) word 'odoodem' meaning "his kinship group". Totem Poles were not worshipped but they inspired respect. Who made the Totem Poles? Totem Poles were not created by all Native Indian tribes and their production was limited to Northwest Indian tribes located in the Pacific Northwest Coast in British Columbia and southeastern Alaska. The names of the Northwest Tribes which carved Totem Poles included: The Tlingit tribe
The Haida tribe
The Bella Coola tribe
The Chinook tribe
The Tsimshian tribe
Coast Salish
In the culture of the Northwest people Totem Poles were erected in the front of a Northwest Native Indian's home and would show the ancestry and the social rank of the family. The figures carved on the Totem poles could be humans, animals, or other creatures. Native American Totem Poles
Purpose and Reason for Totem Poles
Totem poles were made to fill a variety of needs, but their primary purposes were to commemorate people or special events.