Native-American Totem Poles

Paper Summary:

This paper reviews and discusses the role of the totem pole in the lives of Native-American Indians. The paper first provides a brief history of the totem pole from the perspective of the British explorer, Captain James Cook and then goes on to discuss the history of the totem pole in Native-American Indian culture. The paper then explains the process of creating a totem pole, listing the meaning behind the various symbols.

Outline:
Objective
Introduction
Totem Pole Significance
The History of the Totem Pole
Steps to Making a Totem Pole
Totem Pole Symbolism
The Great Seal of the US and the Canadian Coat of Arms
Native-American Indian Oral Tradition
The Haida Totem Pole
Summary and Conclusion

From the Paper:

" The Native American Indians did not have a written form of their language and totem pole stories and imagery were shared with the owners of the pole and those who they told. The only meanings which are on record are in cases where the owners of the pole left written record, granted interviews or in cases where the story has been transferred from generation to generation in a story. These stories are referred to as the "oral tradition" which is subject to change and become distorted over time.
According to the website of the Manataka American Indian Council: The Native American Indians placed the totem pole at the front entrance of the family's longhouse for honoring the clan's ancestors, to record the clan's standing, rights and accomplishments, in memoriam of a ceremony or spiritual experience and contains the symbolism of the qualities, experience, and exploits of the family clan. (Manataka American Indian Council, 2006)"

Sample of Sources Used:

• Totem Poles (2002) Present at the Creation 2002 September 30. Online available at: http://www.npr.org/programs/morning/features/patc/totempoles/index.html.
• Totem Poles of the Northwest (2006) History of the Totem Poles Online available at: http://library.thinkquest.org/5160/index.html.
• Totem Poles of the Northwest (2006) How Totem Poles are Made Online available at: http://library.thinkquest.org/5160/index.html.
• Totem Poles of the Northwest (2006) Symbolism Online available at: http://library.thinkquest.org/5160/index.html.
• Kramer, Pat (2006) Totem Poles: An Exploration Online available at: http://users.imag.net/~sry.jkramer/nativetotems/default.html..

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