Make your own

Family Totem Pole!

Explore Native America with theBrenchley Collection

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

Totem Pole, British Museum Totem Pole, Great Windsor Park

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-chah-nulth and the Coast Salish Peoples.

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?

BEARPowerful and courageous. Bears have human like qualities.

Large nostrils

A wide mouth with its tongue sticking out!

Finger-like claws!

Ears

BEAVER

Wide mouth with two large teeth!

Hard work, determination and has the strength to build things.

Paws that have fingers

A chewing stick

A cross hatched tail

EAGLEA 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

Claws

Ears

WingsEagle feathers are a religious symbol and only allowed to be worn by those who have earned the privilege.

FROGThe Frog is believed to bring health and wealth.

The frogs helps to stop houses falling over.

Large mouth with thick lips

Legs with toed feet

HUMMINGBIRDSymbolises love, beauty and intelligence.

A long tail

Very long beak

Big eyesLong wings

OWLThe owl symbolises wisdom.

Large, round eyes

A short and sharp beak

Wings

RAVENThe 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

SALMONSalmon is a fish that symbolises dependability and renewal.

Long body

Open mouth

Tail

Fins

THUNDERBIRDOnly 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

Clawed feet

Tail

WOLFRepresents loyalty and family.

He has a special spirit power that people need to become successful hunters.

Front paws raised

Curved tail

Long snout with flared nostrils

Lots of sharp teeth

Prominent ears

WHALEPowerful, strong and brave.

A blow hole

A tail

A fin Round head

large mouth with many teeth

THE SUNThe 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.

• 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

Make your own Family Totem Pole!

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