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Totem

Totem Poles The totem pole, which is unique to the Northwest Coast, might be considered a sort of coat-of-arms. Totems inspired considerable awe because of the tribal traditions represented by the symbolic figures carved on them. Tradition dictated the symbolic form each carving should take, so it is relatively simple to recognize which crests occur on a particular pole. It is not always possible, though, to "read" a totem pole's story easily. Knowledge of Native mythology helps one to understand the significance of some combinations of crests, but some totem tales are lost in the past.

The function of totem poles varied somewhat among the different peoples, but overall they were historic monuments, or documents of great meaning and value to the cultures that carved them. Welcome Poles were used to greet visitors arriving for a feast or potlatch. House Frontal or Portal poles added splendor and prestige to the integral construction of housing. Special achievements, crests and figures appeared on Memorial or Mortuary poles. Shame poles were carved to ridicule or shame a rival, when restitution was made the pole came down. More recently, a new category of pole exists, commercial poles. The art and carving of commercial poles usually follows tradition and they are raised with great ceremony. The significance of these newer poles is their strong reminder of the First Nations people and their long-standing presence on the land. Overall, totem poles display images that represent people's origins and lineages, their rights and privileges, their supernatural experiences, their achievements, their territories, marriages, and memorials. These recorded histories gave the people cultural identity. Totem poles are a marvelous legacy to be protected and valued.

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Raven

The Raven is the most important being in the Northwest Coast art and mythology. In stories, Raven is intelligent, curious, innovative and resourceful, yet selfish, greedy, deceitful and mischievous. He always follows his appetite, and consequently is often in trouble: in fact, that is when he does some of his best creative work. Among many other achievements, Raven determined the order of things in the world, as we know it; secured the blessings of Fire, water, Sun, Moon, stars; and discovered humankind and all other creatures. He is the original organizer. He is also known to be a relentless schemer and practical joker, lustful, impulsive, and cunning.

 

Understanding Northwest Coast Art - Cheryl Shearar

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Bear

Bear is one of the most prevalent figures in crest and shamanic art, as well as in myths. It is considered to be a close relation of human kind, perhaps because of physical characteristics such as size, appearance, and expression, and behaviors such as standing on two hind legs, gathering plants and berries, fishing and nurturing young. As a close relation, the bear is a link between the human and non-human animal realms, as well as between the secular natural ream and the divine or supernatural. Because of their strength and fierceness, Bears are frequently the guardians, protectors and helping spirits of the Warriors. Bears were held in great respect by the Coastal Indians because of their humanlike qualities. The bear motif is often found carved and painted on totem poles and used in many other art works. Because of its power and human-like qualities, the bear was referred to as "Elder Kinsman". When killed, it was taken to the chief's house, sprinkled with eagle down as a symbol of welcome, friendship and generally treated as a high-ranking guest. Prayers and dances were made to the soul of the bear so that harm would not later befall the hunters.

 

Understanding Northwest Coast Art - Cheryl Shearar