Celebrating Native American Heritage Month: The Story and Craft of Totem Poles
As we step into November, it’s time to celebrate Native American Heritage Month, a perfect opportunity to honor the rich cultures, traditions, and histories of Native American people.
For elementary teachers, this month is a wonderful opportunity to introduce students to the rich tradition of the totem pole.
Totem poles are much more than just beautifully carved wooden structures. They are storytellers, cultural symbols, and a testament to the creativity and spirituality of the Native American tribes, particularly those from the Pacific Northwest.
In this blog post, we’ll dive into the history and significance of totem poles, and share a fun, hands-on craft activity that your students will love, helping them connect more deeply with Native American heritage.
The History and Significance of Totem Poles
Origins and Cultural Importance
Totem poles are a significant aspect of the cultures of the Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast, which includes tribes such as the Tlingit, Haida, Tsimshian, and Kwakwaka’wakw.
These poles are carved from large trees, typically red cedar, and are traditionally raised in front of longhouses, community buildings, or important sites.
The word “totem” itself comes from the Ojibwe word “doodem,” meaning “kinship group.” However, totem poles are specific to the tribes of the Northwest Coast and shouldn’t be confused with the general concept of totems in other Native American cultures.
Each totem pole is unique, telling stories of ancestry, history, legends, or notable events. They can represent clan lineages, commemorate significant people, or symbolize important cultural beliefs.
The figures carved into the poles often include animals like the raven, eagle, wolf, or bear, each with its own specific meaning and significance.
Types of Totem Poles
There are several types of totem poles, each serving a different purpose:
- House Poles: These are the most common type and are often placed at the entrance of a longhouse. They tell the story of the family living there, often depicting the lineage and achievements of the family members.
- Mortuary Poles: These poles serve as memorials for deceased chiefs or other important figures. They sometimes have a small compartment at the top where the ashes of the deceased are kept.
- Heraldic Poles: These poles display the crests or symbols of a clan, often representing the family’s rights, privileges, and social status.
- Shame Poles: Rare and unique, shame poles were erected to publicly shame a person or a group for failing to meet a social obligation, like repaying a debt.
- Welcome Poles: These poles are usually placed at the edge of a village or community to welcome guests. They often feature figures that signify hospitality and openness.
The Carving Process
Creating a totem pole is a community effort and a deeply spiritual process.
It begins with selecting the right tree, which is an important ritual in itself. The cedar tree, known for its durability and straight grain, is often the wood of choice.
Once the tree is selected, the carver (or carvers, as it’s often a group effort) begins to shape the pole, carving out intricate figures based on stories, legends, and historical events.
Traditional tools made from bone, stone, or shell were used in the past, though today, many carvers use modern tools to help with precision.
Each figure on a totem pole has meaning. For example:
- Raven: Often regarded as a creator figure, Raven is a trickster and a transformer in many Native American legends.
- Eagle: Symbolizes power, prestige, and friendship.
- Bear: Represents strength, motherhood, and teaching.
- Wolf: Signifies loyalty, perseverance, and family.
Once the carving is complete, the pole is often painted with vibrant colors, using natural pigments in traditional times and more modern paints today.
Raising the Totem Pole
Raising a totem pole is a significant event, often accompanied by a potlatch – a ceremonial feast with music, dancing, and storytelling.
This event is an opportunity for the community to come together, honor the carver’s work, and celebrate the stories depicted on the pole.
The raising of the pole is a communal effort. Poles are traditionally hauled into place using the hands of many community members and sometimes ropes.
Once raised, it stands as a monument to the community’s history, culture, and beliefs.
Introducing Totem Poles to Elementary Students
When teaching about totem poles to elementary students, it’s important to approach the subject with respect and cultural sensitivity.
Start by introducing the concept of totem poles as storytelling tools, and explain that each figure on the pole has a specific meaning and purpose.
Here are a few ideas on how to engage your students:
- Storytelling Sessions: Share some of the legends and stories that are often depicted on totem poles. Use picture books or online resources that are designed for young audiences to make these stories accessible and engaging.
- Show and Tell: If possible, show images or videos of real totem poles. Discuss the different figures on the poles and what they represent. Encourage students to think about what animals or symbols they might include if they were to create their own totem pole.
- Cultural Respect: Emphasize the importance of respecting the culture from which totem poles originate. Explain that totem poles are not just art; they are sacred and hold deep meaning for the people who create them.
Totem Pole Craft: Bringing the Tradition to Life
Now that your students have learned about the history and significance of totem poles, it’s time for a hands-on activity!
This craft will allow them to create their own miniature totem poles, helping them to connect with the tradition in a fun and creative way.
Materials Needed:
- Empty paper towel rolls – one per student (optional)
- Construction paper
- Scissors
- Tape or glue sticks
- Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
- Animal craft pieces (or students can draw their own)
Instructions:
- 1. Introduction to the Craft:
- Start by reviewing the rich culture of Native American totem poles (informational sheets provided) and the different animal meanings (animal symbol meanings sheets provided). Ask students to think about what animals they would like to include on their own totem pole and why.
- 2. Prepare the Base:
- Give each student an empty paper towel roll or roll a large sheet of construction paper into a similar shape. Tape or glue the paper in place. This will serve as the base of their totem pole.
- 3. Prepare the Animal Pieces:
- Have students select and cut out 4-5 animals to include on their totem pole. There are animal pieces, along with a totem pole base piece and grass pieces included in the craft. If you’re not using the craft template, students can also draw these on construction paper and cut them out.
- 4. Assembling the Totem Pole:
- Next, students can begin gluing their figures onto the paper towel roll (or rolled construction paper), stacking them one on top of the other. Start with the totem pole base and grass pieces on the bottom. Lastly, add the animal pieces one by one, placing the largest animal at the top.
Extension Activities:
- Writing Projects: There are several writing assignments included in this craft. You can select projects that are most appropriate for your students.
Here are some additional writing prompts:
- Research and discuss the significance of animal symbols and the meaningful traits assigned to them.
- Research and discuss the significance of totem poles in different tribes. You can compare how different tribes interpret similar symbols or tell unique stories through their poles.
- Students discuss why they chose each symbol for their personalized totem pole and what each one represents.
- Extend Learning Worksheets: There are a variety of extension worksheets provided in this resource, including reading comprehension passages, true or false questions, vocabulary definition questions, and “fix the sentences” writing activities. I created differentiated versions so that they can be selected to best fit your learners’ needs.
- Sharing Stories: Once the totem poles are complete, you can have a “show and tell” session where students can present their totem poles to the class. Encourage them to explain why they chose each figure and what their totem pole represents.
- Totem Pole Coloring: Use these differentiated coloring pages to further student learning. Use them for literacy centers, small groups, morning work, partner work, indoor recess, early finishers, art centers, rewards, coloring book gifts, sub tub, Native American heritage celebrations, intervention programs, and more!
Bringing It All Together
Native American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate and honor the diverse cultures of Native American tribes.
Through the exploration of totem poles, students can gain a deeper understanding of the rich storytelling traditions and the significance of these monumental carvings.
By engaging in the totem pole craft, students not only learn about the cultural heritage of Native American tribes but also have the opportunity to express themselves creatively.
This activity fosters a sense of respect and appreciation for Native American traditions, while also encouraging students to think about the stories they carry within themselves.
Finally, as you guide your students through this exploration, remember to emphasize the importance of cultural respect and sensitivity.
Totem poles are not merely decorative; they are deeply meaningful, and understanding this context is crucial for an authentic learning experience.
Whether it’s through storytelling, hands-on crafting, or creative writing, celebrating Native American Heritage Month with totem poles is a beautiful way to honor the rich legacy of Native American cultures and inspire the next generation to appreciate and respect this important part of our shared history.
Try it Out!
I really hope you’ll give this Native American totem pole craft a try with your kiddos! You can get it by clicking the button below:
Looking for more ways to celebrate Native American Heritage Month? Check out this blog post all about Native American activities for your classroom!
Instead of wasting your nights and weekends on lesson prep, grab this Native American activity bundle! Simply print and go!
If you try out any of these resources, I’d love if you tagged me on Instagram, so that I can share in your celebration!
Wishing you a happy Native American Heritage Month!
Talk again soon,
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