Free Essay

Totems on Pacific Northwest

In:

Submitted By alaface
Words 646
Pages 3
Alyssa LaFace
ARTE 220
3/9/16
Totems of the Pacific Northwest

Totems are carved Redwood Cedar trees and used in the Potlatch ceremonies of families of the Pacific Northwest. Paint for the totems comes from pigments in nature, and like the carved animals, colors are symbolic as well. The natural ingredients mixed with oil from salmon eggs created easy application. Totems were carved to represent the emblem of the family as a reminder of its history. A totem is carved and placed to honor its ancestors, the clan’s standings, rights and accomplishments, to record as memorable ceremony or record a spiritual experience. A totem pole is a symbol of the qualities, experiences, and exploits of the clan. The red Earth Museum states, “The totem carvings tells a story, revealed only if one knows the meaning assigned to various animals, fish, birds and designs. There were a number of reasons why a particular figure or design was chosen by a chan. The connection between the clan and the various figured carved into the pole may have been as a result a special gift from the animal, fish, or bird spirits.” Northwest Symbol states, “Understanding the symbolism and stories hidden within the totem pole is more than a simple exercise in learning the attributed meanings of the figures. Each crest or symbol has its own story and is carefully arranged beginning at the bottom. The viewer will recognize the design of each animal depicted, but in order to tell the story, you need to know the story or people. Poles are seldom self- explanation.”
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. Another reason for Native Americans why they would make totems poles is for trading. The figures carved on the Totem poles could be humans, animals, or other creatures. The totem itself is a symbol that represents this animal. Our culture meets this need by using a symbol representing a state for example the elk and moose are symbols of Michigan, while the eagle represents the United States. Another reason why our culture meets there needs is some totems represents the family tree, and creates traditions within family. There are so many heritages brought over to the United States that have so many traditions and makes a family tree by putting up pictures to represent generations to generations. While learning about the totems and how unique each one is. I had no idea that each one had a unique story behind it. I though it was just art that people made for fun. Mesocosm states, “the word “totem” comes from the Ojibwe word for “kinship group,” and does not properly belong to the region. The Tlingit term is kooteeyaa, but several natives used the term “totem pole.” Another insight that I learned was genealogy totem poles are erected in front of a family’s house to represent the owner’s clan or social status. Another thing I learned from their culture was they made everything from scratch. In the 1900’s they started making tools for people to carve the wood quicker.
Production ideas: A logical hands on experience for students would have to be to make there own totem and to see how each individual totem is unique. This would be a great lesson to talk about Native American culture and religion. http://artofpossibilityforteachers.blogspot.com/2013/10/totem-pole-art.html

Works Cited:
Images:
“Amazing Totem Pole” Evil Sunday. N.p., 27 October 2011. Wed 12 Mar. 2016
Document:
"Totem Poles of the Pacific Northwest." Mesocosm. N.p., 22 July 2012. Web. 14 Mar. 2016.
"Northwest Symbols." Northwest Symbols. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Mar. 2016.
"Totems of the Pacific Northwest." - Red Earth Museum. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Mar. 2016.

Similar Documents

Free Essay

Native American Art

...ART 1010 Three Examples of Native American Art Art is defined differently by each person, and I tend to lean towards a personal definition as well. It is a play on the words of Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart when he was referring to obscenity. “I know it when I see it.” This allows me to recognize what I consider art, and it also gives me the ability to decide what types of art speak to me. Native American art has always been close to my heart because of my personal ancestry, and I hope to pique the reader’s interest in some of the fine examples of this art that are readily accessible today (1964). Native North American tribes, in large part were nomadic and struggled for their everyday existence. Most native art is considered craft work because they were meant to be utilized as practical tools. Some examples include, woven blankets and rugs, pottery, and baskets. Other pieces of their art fall within a few other categories, and include jewelry, beadwork, and headdresses. The architecture of these tribes may not be considered artistic by some standards, but I feel that there is a certain rustic beauty to it. Each of the pieces I will discuss fall easily within these categories. Design is an important element to any piece of art, and it is especially important for craft pieces that are intended for use. The design must meet certain standards to be useful. For example, a blanket needs to not only keep a person warm, but it must be somewhat light and...

Words: 1444 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Similarities Between Lewis And Clark

...Lewis and Clark Expedition: Unexplored Discoveries Chosen by Thomas Jefferson was his personal secretary, Meriwether Lewis and chosen by Lewis was William Clark. Both men who endowed such capacity as frontiersmen. Lewis and Clark, both Captains of the Expedition created a diverse military Corps of Discovery who would travel with them on their two-year journey to the great ocean. In the summer of 1804, the explorers would travel upstream, northwest on the Missouri River to Fort Mandan, a trading post, where Corps of Discovery set up camp, wintered, and prepared for their journey to the Pacific. In Spring of 1805, is when Lewis and Clark set out on their journey. Soon Lewis and Clark would encounter their first Indian tribe, as well as meeting...

Words: 729 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Lewis And Clark Acquisition Of Native Americans

...Jefferson was planning this expedition well before he made the Louisiana purchase. After he made the purchase he wanted to know exactly what he had bought. Therefore he had Lewis, Clark and thirty-one others go on this expedition. President Jefferson was hoping they would find a northwest passage for a trade route. However they did not find one instead they provided valuable information about the west and that influenced people to move....

Words: 619 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Mr. Peter Williams

...CHAPTER ONE 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background Information The Cross River gorilla, Gorilla gorilla diehli (Matschie, 1904), a subspecies of the western gorilla, Gorilla gorilla, is found in contiguous forest patches bordering South-Southern Nigeria and South-Western Cameroon, an area recognized as a biodiversity hotspot characterized by species diversity and endemism (Edet, 2011). The subspecies is one of the most critically endangered primates of Africa (Oates et al., 2008; IUCN, 2013). The subspecies is also one of the world’s 25 most endangered primates (Mittermeier et al., 2009). As humans extend their land use, Cross River gorilla habitat is rapidly disappearing, and this may have adverse effects on number of individuals within the subspecies. The Cross River gorilla, Gorilla gorilla diehli, chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes vellorosus) and drill (Mandrillus leucophaeus), though legally protected by the Endangered Species Decree 11 of 1985, are some of the primates hunted for bushmeat and other purposes (Edet, 2011). The Major threat to the survival of the subspecies is lack of thorough conservation strategy necessary for its protection. The survival of this endangered species and ecosystems depends on long-term participation and understanding of local populations (Oates, 1999). Due to the close relationship between cultural diversity and biodiversity, traditional knowledge systems play an important role when developing species conservation and management strategies (Caldecott...

Words: 12465 - Pages: 50

Premium Essay

Timeline

...they had a very large trade route, with materials coming from across other portions of the United States and Canada. The climate was the reason for this tribe’s decline rather than the colonists that arrived to the New World. The Iroquois were located in what is now the state of New York. This was actually a group of tribes that were united under a league that had been established by a political alliance after tribal warring. Their system of government with chosen leaders called sachems is considered the model for which the American government is currently built upon. The Haidas was a tribe that was located in the Northwest Pacific Coast across the country far from where the colonists first landed. This tribe being so close to the ocean, centered more of tribal life around the waters. They were fishermen and artists. This is one of the tribes that created totem poles that many individuals associate with Native American culture today. 2) The effects of British colonization on the Native Americans. 1600’s The British colonization on the Native Americans had a very negative effect, especially later on in their interactions. The Native Americans were forced off of their lands and made to move west as more colonists came over to settle in the New World. They had a hard time competing with the British weapons during their clashes. The settlers from Britain also brought with them diseases that had not been experienced by the Native populations in the...

Words: 2703 - Pages: 11

Premium Essay

A New World: the First Americans

...A NEW WORLD The First Americans At daybreak on the morning of Friday, August 3 1492, an Italian adventurer named Christopher Columbus set sail from Spain to find a new way from. His aim was to open up a shorter trade route between the two continents. In Asia, he intended to load his three ships with silks, spices and gold, and sail back to Europe a rich man. Columbus first sailed south to the Canary Islands. Then he turned west across the unknown waters of the mid-Atlantic Ocean. Ten weeks after leaving Spain, on the morning of October 12, he stepped ashore on the beach of a low sandy island. He named the island San Salvador – Holy Savior. Columbus believed that he had landed in the Indies, a group of islands close to the mainland of India. For this reason he called the friendly, brown-skinned people who greeted him ‘los Indios’ – Indians. In fact, Columbus was not near India. It was not the edge of Asia that he had reached, but islands off the shores of a new continent. Europeans would soon name the continent America, but for many years they went on calling its inhabitants Indians. Only recently have these first Americans been described more accurately as ‘native Americans’ or Amerindians. There were many different groups of Amerindians. Those north of Mexico, in what is now the USA and Canada, were scattered across the grasslands and forests in separate groups called ‘tribes’. These tribes followed very different ways of life. Some were hunters...

Words: 5271 - Pages: 22

Premium Essay

The Asian History

...The Origins of the Chinese Empire, to 220 C.E. these cities, built by rulers to move troops and supplies, were traveled by traders transporting such items as metal tools and utensils, lacquered wood plates and boxes, silk, pottery, gems, salt, and lumber. A money economy emerged, using copper coins called cash, with center holes for stringing them together for counting and carrying. China's towns and cities were likewise linked into a large economic system . Trade between China and distant lands A metal bell from the Zhou era. was difficult and dangerous, but by the era's end commerce was conducted by sea with Southeast Asia and by land routes crossing Central Asia. The Central Asian Connection Central Asia, a vast expanse to China's north and west where the climate was too dry for farming (Map 2), was home mainly to pastoral nomads who grazed herds on its plateaus and plains. Skilled on horseback, the nomads occasionally attacked Chinese settlements to carry off goods and supplies, but they also spread commerce and useful knowledge. Some nomads, for example, exchanged their Central Asian nomads connect China with other cultures Nomads and Chinese adopt horse riding and crossbows from each other Iron tools and weapons spread to China, enhancing farming and warfare hides, wool, and horses for Chinese silk, pottery, metalware, and wood products and then traded these items with other societies across Central Asia. Over time, connections with the...

Words: 18516 - Pages: 75

Premium Essay

Canada

...Canada From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search For other uses, see Canada (disambiguation). Page semi-protected Canada Vertical triband (red, white, red) with a red maple leaf in the centre A shield divided into four rectangles over a triangle. The first rectangle contains three lions passant guardant in gold on red; the second, a red lion rampant on gold; the third, a gold harp on blue; the fourth, three gold fleurs-de-lis on blue. The triangle contains three red maple leaves on a white background. A gold helmet sits on top of the shield, upon which is a crowned lion holding a red maple leaf. On the right is a lion rampant flying the Union Flag. On the left is a unicorn flying a fleurs-de-lis flag. A red ribbon around the shield says "desiderantes meliorem patriam". Below is a blue scroll inscribed "A mari usque ad mare" on a wreath of flowers. Flag Coat of arms Motto: A Mari Usque Ad Mare (Latin) "From Sea to Sea" Anthem: "O Canada" Royal anthem: "God Save the Queen"[1][2] Projection of North America with Canada in green Capital Ottawa 45°24′N 75°40′W Largest city Toronto Official language(s) English and French Recognised regional languages Chipewyan, Cree, Gwich’in, Inuinnaqtun, Inuktitut, Inuvialuktun, Slavey (North and South) and Tłįchǫ[3] Demonym Canadian Government Federal parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy[4] - Monarch Elizabeth II - Governor General David Johnston - Prime Minister Stephen...

Words: 14190 - Pages: 57

Premium Essay

Strama

...A. Geography >China stretches some 5,026 kilometres (3,123 mi) across the East Asian landmass. China is bordered by seas and waters eastward, with the East China Sea, Korea Bay, Yellow Sea, Taiwan Strait, and South China Sea, and bordered by landmasses on its 3 other sides, from North Korea to Vietnam. China has been officially and conveniently divided into 5 homogeneous physical macro-regions: Eastern China (subdivided into the northeast plain, north plain, and southern hills), Xinjiang-Mongolia, and the Tibetan-highlands. Its physical features are multiples. The eastern and southern half of the country, its seacoast fringed with offshore islands, is a region of fertile lowlands and foothills with most of the agricultural output and human population. The western and northern half of China is a region of sunken basins (Gobi, Taklamakan), rolling plateaus, and towering massifs, including a portion of the highest tableland on earth (Tibetan Plateau) with lower agricultural possibilities and thus, far less populated. Traditionally, the Chinese population centered around the Chinese central plain and oriented itself toward its own enormous inland market, developing as an imperial power whose center lay in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River on the northern plains. More recently, the 18,000-kilometers coastline have been used extensively for export-oriented trade, making a power shift, with the coastline provinces becoming the leading economic center. With an...

Words: 9384 - Pages: 38

Premium Essay

Folk Dance

...Name: Aunso, Jemimah Lea, S. Course and year: BSED 1st 1.What is dance? Dance is a performance art form consisting of purposefully selected sequences of human movement. This movement has aesthetic and symbolicvalue, and is acknowledged as dance by performers and observers within a particular culture.[nb 1] Dance can be categorized and described by its choreography, by its repertoire of movements, or by its historical period orplace of origin. An important distinction is to be drawn between the contexts of theatrical andparticipatory dance,[4] although these two categories are not always completely separate; both may have special functions, whether social,ceremonial, competitive, erotic, martial, or sacred/liturgical. Others disciplines of human movement are sometimes said to have a dance-like quality, including martial arts, gymnastics, figure skating, synchronized swimming and many other forms of athletics. 2. What are the types/kinds of dances? Types of Dance - Categories Here are some of the most popular dance categories and types: Ballroom Dances These dances started appearing first in Italy, during the early years of Renaissance. Popularity of this kind of entertainment quickly swept over the Europe, United States and the World. Although many other simpler and more easily preformed types of dances caused the ballroom dances to lose some of their influence, modern worldwide dancing audience started resurrecting these immortal dances in ever increasing pace...

Words: 6745 - Pages: 27

Free Essay

500 Extraordinary Islands

...500 extraordinary islands G R E E N L A N D Beaufort Sea Baffin Bay vi Da i tra sS t a nm De it Stra rk Hudson Bay Gulf of Alaska Vancouver Portland C A N A D A Calgary Winnipeg Newfoundland Quebec Minneapolis UNITED STATES San Francisco Los Angeles San Diego Phoenix Dallas Ottawa Montreal ChicagoDetroitToronto Boston New York OF AMERICA Philadelphia Washington DC St. Louis Atlanta New Orleans Houston Monterrey NORTH AT L A N T I C OCEAN MEXICO Guadalajara Mexico City Gulf of Mexico Miami Havana CUBA GUATEMALA HONDURAS b e a n Sea EL SALVADOR NICARAGUA Managua BAHAMAS DOMINICAN REPUBLIC JAMAICA San Juan HAITI BELIZE C a r PUERTO RICO ib TRINIDAD & Caracas N TOBAGO A COSTA RICA IA M PANAMA VENEZUELA UYANRINA H GU C U G Medellín A PAC I F I C OCEAN Galapagos Islands COLOMBIA ECUADOR Bogotá Cali S FR EN Belém Recife Lima BR A Z I L PERU La Paz Brasélia Salvador Belo Horizonte Rio de Janeiro ~ Sao Paulo BOLIVIA PARAGUAY CHILE Cordoba Santiago Pôrto Alegre URUGUAY Montevideo Buenos Aires ARGENTINA FALKLAND/MALVINAS ISLANDS South Georgia extraordinary islands 1st Edition 500 By Julie Duchaine, Holly Hughes, Alexis Lipsitz Flippin, and Sylvie Murphy Contents Chapter 1 Beachcomber Islands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Aquatic Playgrounds 2 Island Hopping the Turks & Caicos: Barefoot Luxury 12 Life’s a Beach 14 Unvarnished & Unspoiled 21 Sailing...

Words: 249855 - Pages: 1000

Free Essay

Juriprudence

...Edited by Kristen Walker Painemilla, Anthony B. Rylands, Alisa Woofter and Cassie Hughes Edited by Kristen Walker Painemilla, Anthony B. Rylands, Alisa Woofter and Cassie Hughes Conservation International 2011 Crystal Drive, Suite 500 Arlington, VA 22202 USA Tel: +1 703-341-2400 www.conservation.org Editors : Kristen Walker Painemilla, Anthony B. Rylands, Alisa Woofter and Cassie Hughes Cover design  Paula K. Rylands, Conservation International : Layout: Kim Meek, Washington, DC Maps [except where noted otherwise]  Kellee Koenig, Conservation International : Conservation International is a private, non-profit organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501 c (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. ISBN 978-1-934151-39-6 © 2010 by Conservation International All rights reserved. The designations of geographical entities in this publication, and the presentation of the material, do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of Conservation International or its supporting organizations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Any opinions expressed in this publication are those of the writers, and do not necessarily reflect those of Conservation International (CI). Suggested citation: Walker Painemilla, K., Rylands, A. B., Woofter, A. and Hughes, C. (eds.). 2010. Indigenous Peoples and Conservation: From  Rights to Resource Management. Conservation...

Words: 170022 - Pages: 681

Free Essay

Ship Structures

...Ship Design and Construction Written by an International Group of Authorities Thomas Lamb, Editor Volume II Y OF NA IET VA C O L CHITECT AR S & RINE E NG MA I The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers 601 Pavonia Avenue • Jersey City, NJ • 07306 THE ERS S NE • Published in 2004 by Copyright © 2004 The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers. ISBN 0-939773-41-4 The opinions or assertions of the authors herein are not to be construed as official or reflecting the views of SNAME. It is understood and agreed that nothing expressed herein is intended or shall be construed to give any person, firm, or corporation any right, remedy, or claim against SNAME or any of its officers or members. Design by Andrew MacBride. Printed in the United States of America by Sheridan Books. Contents Acknowledgments ix xv Author Biographies for Volume II Chapter 27 Multipurpose Cargo Ships 27.1 Description 27-1 27.4 References 27-35 Horst Linde, Berlin University of Technology, Faculty of Transport Technology, Institute of Land and Sea Transport, Germany 27.2 Design Issues 27-28 27.3 Ship Characteristics 27-35 Chapter 28 Reefer Ships Allan M. Friis, The Technical University of Denmark, Denmark 28.3 Design Issues 28-26 28.1 Description 28-1 28.2 System Design 28-8 28.4 Ship Characteristics 28-27 Chapter 29 Oil Tankers Michael Osborne, Shell International Trading and Shipping, UK, and R. Keith Michel, Herbert Engineering...

Words: 11349 - Pages: 46

Free Essay

Marketing Plan Falu Red

...Halmstad University School of Business and Engineering Business Culture II VeniltonReinert Marketing And Communication Plan FALU RED PAINT Friday, 14. Dec. 2012 Wan Ting Huang Tatjana Weber Jonathan Tran Quentin Peulot Cyril Albert Matthieu Fernandez 1   Table  des  matières   1.  Introduction  (north  country/  wood  houses)  ........................................................................  3   1.1  Pestel  analysis  of  Russia  :  ............................................................................................................  5   1.2  Pestel  analysis  of  Canada:  .........................................................................................................  12   2  Micro  environment  ............................................................................................................  19   2.1  Brand  ........................................................................................................................................  19   2.2  Product  .....................................................................................................................................  20   2.3  Price   .........................................................................................................................................  21   2.4  Promotion   .................

Words: 13141 - Pages: 53

Premium Essay

World Civilisation

...HUM 1000: WORLD CIVILIZATIONS NOTES BY DR. KAKAI P.W THE NATURE AND ORIGIN OF CIVILIZATION IN AFRICA Definition of key terms As we begin this course, it is crucial to first discuss our understanding of the concept ‘civilization’. This is a comparative term which is usually applied in comparison to such words as ‘barbarian’ ‘savage’ and ‘primitive’. In classical antiquity the Europeans used the word ‘barbarian’ to refer to a foreigner who was regarded as inferior (Ogutu and Kenyanchui, An Introduction To African History, 1991 p33). Do you think this is still the way we use the word barbarian? The Latin speakers referred to hunters, food-gatherers as savage. In the 17th century this term ‘savage’ referred to a person without art, literacy, or society who lived in fear of existence and death. ‘Primitive’ on the other hand, in Latin meant ‘the first or original’. Europeans used these words interchangeably when referring to non-Europeans while the word civilization was preserved to describe historical developments of European people (ibid). Now the term civilization is no longer confined to the above development but also extends reference to non-European communities. Attributes of civilization includes observance to law, belonging to an organized society, having a society of literate people with advanced developments in urbanization, agriculture, commerce, arts and technology. The French thinkers of the 18th century referred to a person of the arts and literature...

Words: 29345 - Pages: 118