Transcript Make your own Family Totem Pole!

Explore Native America with the
Brenchley Collection
Make your
own
Family Totem
Pole!
What is a Totem Pole?
Totem Poles are large sculptures carved from the bark of Cedar
Wood Trees. A real life totem pole can be 40ft high or more
– the size of 3 double decker buses on top of each other!
What are they used for?
Totem Poles have different uses; some are made for the
entrance of houses, some were carved from beams inside
houses, some mark special occasions and some were placed
outside to honour a chief who had died.
Who makes Totem Poles?
Native People from the North Pacific Coast of America
have a long history of carving Totem Poles.
You can see Totem Poles in the UK
Designs with multiple figures
are made by the Haida and
Tlingit Peoples of the
Northwest Coast and the
Tsimshian people of British
Columbia.
Human figures and interior
house posts are made by the
Kwakwaka’wakw, Nuu-chahnulth and the Coast Salish
Peoples.
Totem Pole, British Museum
Totem Pole, Great Windsor Park
What do carvings on Totem Poles
represent?
Designs feature images of people, animals,
and characters from stories.
Some carvings tell stories and some tell family
history, linking people with their ancestors
and their origins.
Some Native American artists believe that
carvings bring out happiness and sadness.
Which symbols will you
put on your Totem Pole
to represent your
family?
BEAR
Powerful and courageous. Bears have human like qualities.
Ears
Large nostrils
A wide mouth
with its tongue sticking out!
Finger-like claws!
BEAVER
Hard work, determination and has the strength to build things.
Wide mouth with two
large teeth!
Paws that have fingers
A chewing stick
A cross hatched tail
EAGLE
A symbol of power, prestige and peace.
The Eagle is intelligent and the ‘master of the skies’ who can travel
between the physical and spiritual world.
Short beak with
a tongue inside
Ears
Wings
Eagle feathers are a
religious symbol
and only allowed to
be worn by those
who have earned
the privilege.
Claws
FROG
The Frog is believed to bring health and wealth.
The frogs helps to stop houses falling over.
Legs with
toed feet
Large mouth with thick lips
HUMMINGBIRD
Symbolises love, beauty and intelligence.
Big eyes
Long wings
Very long beak
A long tail
OWL
The owl symbolises wisdom.
Large, round eyes
A short and sharp beak
Wings
RAVEN
The most important animal.
The Raven is a transformer, a trickster and the creator of the world.
He is full of knowledge and magical powers.
Long straight
beak with
downturned tip
Wings
Claws
SALMON
Salmon is a fish that symbolises dependability and renewal.
Long body
Tail
Open mouth
Fins
THUNDERBIRD
Only the most powerful and prestigious chiefs and families have the
Thunderbird on their totem poles! He sits at the top!
Outstretched wings
A sharply curved beak
Tail
Clawed feet
WOLF
Represents loyalty and family.
He has a special spirit power that people need to become successful
hunters.
Long snout with
flared nostrils
Prominent ears
Lots of sharp teeth
Curved tail
Front paws
raised
WHALE
Powerful, strong and brave.
A blow hole
Round head
A fin
large
mouth
with many
teeth
A tail
THE SUN
The sun represents warmth, healing and peace. The sun brings
happiness to the world.
Sits at the top of the totem pole!
Face in the
middle of the
sun
Long rays
Are Totem Poles still carved today?
• Yes!
• Totem poles were discouraged for a number of
years by outsiders of tribes; some were even
destroyed, chopped down and ignored and
some moved to museums.
• But today there is a lot of support for tribes to
reclaim their culture and more totem poles
are being carved.
Make your own Family Totem Pole!
• Choose the animals that represent your family!
• Make yours bright and colourful by using the
materials provided!
HOW TO:
• Cardboard tube will be the totem pole
• Decorate the totem pole - wrap a coloured paper around
the tube.
• Design images for your totem pole – which symbols or
animals represent your family? Draw images or use outlines
provided. Colour in and decorate.
• For wings - cut the wing shape and fold one end – glue the
folded end to the tube. Use the same method for beaks.
TWEET pictures of your totems to @BrenchleyOnline
Totem Poles made on June 1st at Maidstone Museum
and Canterbury Christ Church University’s event
Explore Native America with the Brenchley Collection,
‘Make your own Family Totem Pole’ craft session