Where do totem poles come from?

Answer 1

Many people think of the totem pole as belonging to Indigenous cultures all across Canada, but did you know that only six West Coast First Nations are responsible for the creation of totem pole? They are: the Haida, the Nuxalk, the Kwakwaka'wakw, the Tlingit, the Tsimshina and the Coast Salish.

Answer 2

The word totem comes from the Micmac aoutem or Ojibwe/Chippewa word odoodeman, meaning "his family or kinship". It was first applied by explorers in the 1700s to clan symbols such as animals which were widely used among the eastern tribes. It therefore refers to symbols of family and clan relationships. These tribes did not carve totem poles.

The term "totem pole" is much later, probably not being used before 1808. The word totem was definitely not used by the native Americans who constructed totem poles on the far northwest coast, since they were not Algonquian speakers. It had by that time become an English word applied to all clan symbolism among native groups across the world.

Answer 3

Totem poles were first created by the First Nations of the Pacific Northwest. The totem poles were made out of red cedar and would represent the history, events or people of the tribe.

Answer 4

Totem Poles originate from Northen America. This is where the Native Americans lived.

Answer 5

Haida Gwaii.

Answer 6

they originally come from northern America.

Answer 7

The totem pole comes from the Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest.

Answer 8

in Tasmania