Samantha Naso

LBST

4/7/17

Totem Poles in Tlingit Tribes

Mrs. K
Totem Poles of the Tlingit Tribe
The Tlingit Tribe is located on the Northern Pacific Coast. This indigenous tribe consists

of their own native language, traditions, and way of life. It is a culture that is still around and has

modernized with the times. Although this group has changed with the world, the indigenous

ways still appear today. One specific indigenous artifact of the Tlingit people are their totem

poles. These serve as a large portion of not only Tlingit culture but art as well. This large art

portrays the faces of animals carved into wood, each representing a different trait and quality

within the tribe. These totem poles are easily recognizable and truly fascinating for both those

within the tribe and outsiders as well!

Since the intricate detail and artwork on totem poles are respected so much, many try to

duplicate these statues on their own. This customizable art is seen as so whimsical that many

faux totem poles exist. Each linear foot of a totem pole can cost over $3,000! A traditional totem

pole is known to be 40 feet tall. This means the cost of one totem pole can range around

$120,000. Although poles created by non-natives may be constructed excellently, tribes have a

way of noting if the pole has been sanctioned or not. Traditional Tlingit totem poles must pass a

test to be sanctioned. The pole must be made by a native of the pacific northwestern region. Also,

the pole must be blessed by elders who are a part of this tradition.
These poles can also be created as a way of commencing a large event! To tie the totem

poles of the Tlingit tribe in with class discussions, note way totem poles are risen upright. This

act is considered a large celebration within not just the Tlingit tribe but among most others. The

tribe gathers around a hole drug into the group and the pole is met at the base. The ceremony

consists of singing and drums as the tribe ties ropes around the pole and raise it vertically. The
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LBST

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Totem Poles in Tlingit Tribes

Mrs. K
raising of a totem pole can be seen as an ideological ritual. It is not performed religiously but

seen more as a way to unite the people. The carvings on a totem pole can be representative of the

artists life who made it, the people of the tribe or the artists prediction on where the tribe is

headed in the future. If a totem pole has images that represent joy (otter), companionship (puma)

and fertility (rat), the tribe can see that prosperity is in their future. On the other hand, if a totem

pole is presented with an owl (deception), a rabbit (fear) and a coyote (guilt), the tribe can see

that their future does not appear bright. This is important because the entire community feels

represented within this one pole. It is seen by all and it is created for the entire tribe. This is

important because it provides unity and supports the ideological purpose of the pole.
For one to create a totem pole, the tribe will usually cut down a large cedar tree and begin

cutting images into it. Not only are these carvings beautiful, they are also very meaningful. The

images can be representative of important events or stories of the tribes culture. The faces on

totem poles are not meant to show that of God but instead represent traits and important

characters of the tribes stories. Totem poles can also be representative of the one who created it.

The carving of Totem Poles is quite possible the most notable form of at the Tlingit people

possess. Both history and mythology are represented on these poles to represent the tribes

history and culture. Almost as a familys crest, a totem pole can also be used to identify the artist

and tribe member who created it. These totem poles can represent family, stories, mythology,

legends, and religions. The history represented on these poles can be current and not just ancient

tribal memories. Totem Poles are the largest piece of art the Tlingit people use to represent their

culture. In Tlingit tribes, specifically, totem poles can be used to represent the deceased.
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Totem Poles in Tlingit Tribes

Mrs. K
These monuments are lifted upright and the images shown traditionally consist of eagles,

ravens, frogs, whales, and bears. These images represent different distinct characteristics the

tribe wants to represent forever on a totem pole. For example, the Native Eagle Symbol is known

as the Master of Skies. It represents both courage and strength. It is seen atop a totem pole

because eagles are viewed to have a strong relationship with the creator. It is even believed the

eagle has the ability to travel between the physical and spiritual world. Animism is the common

relationship with the great spirit in the Tlingit tribe. The images represented on these totem poles

are representative of nature spirits.

The totem poles of the Tlingit tribe bring the people together. Whether it be encouraging

of a prosper year or remembering a fallen tribe member, the totem poles represent where the tribe

currently stands. The intricate designs show how important this unity is and how hard those are

willing to work in order to keep it. The totem poles of the Tlingit tribe are definitely fascinating

artifacts needed to fully respect the culture.

Works Cited Page

"Alaska Totem Poles." Alaska Trekker. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Apr. 2017.
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Totem Poles in Tlingit Tribes

Mrs. K
"Art." The Tlingit People. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Apr. 2017.

Barbeau, Marius. Totem Poles: A Recent Native Art of the Northwest Coast of America.

Geographical Review, vol. 20, no. 2, 1930, pp. 258272., www.jstor.org/stable/208882.

"The Eagle Symbol- Jewelry | Masks | Prints." Spirits of the West Coast Art Gallery Inc. N.p.,

n.d. Web. 09 Apr. 2017.

Grinev, A V. The Tlingit Indians in Russian America, 1741-1867. Lincoln: University of

Nebraska Press, 2005. Internet resource.

Knapp, Marilyn R, Mary P. Meyer, and Susan F. Edelstein. Carved History: The Totem Poles &

House Posts of Sitka National Historical Park. Anchorage, Alaska: Published in

cooperation with National Park Service, U.S. Dept. of the Interior [by Alaska Natural

History Association, 1980. Print.

Krause, Aurel. The Tlingit Indians: Results of a Trip to the Northwest Coast of America and the

Bering Straits. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1970. Print.

Stanley, H M. "Totemism." Science. 9.234 (1899): 877-878. Print.

Stewart, Hilary. Looking At Totem Poles. Seattle: U Of Washington, 1993. Print.

"Totem Poles." The Special Meaning of Native American Indian Totem Poles. N.p., n.d. Web. 09

Apr. 2017.
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LBST

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Totem Poles in Tlingit Tribes

Mrs. K
"Totem Poles from the Tlingit and Haida Tribes." Totem Poles from the Tlingit and Haida Tribes.

N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Apr. 2017.

Thornton, Thomas F. Being and Place Among the Tlingit. Seattle: University of Washington

Press, 2008. Internet resource.

"What Is a Totem Pole?" Wonderopolis. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Apr. 2017.