40" high, hand carved and painted.
Travel was by canoes over water during traditional times. Totem poles faced the water and travellers could read them. Poles were like address directories.
The eagle, raven and bear are northwest coast Native clan crests. Northern culture is grounded in the clan system. Each person is a member of a clan. Identity is generally passed through the mother. A person doesn’t marry within his or her clan. During traditional times individuals often had to travel hundreds of miles to find a suitable mate. The clans originated long in the past. Humans had experiences with the supernatural aspect of animals or with supernatural beings. Then they returned to their families and communities bringing crests, stories, songs and dances, and secret knowledge. Title to lands and resource harvesting sites are also included with these cultural properties. Totem poles and other carvings are more than simple art objects in oral cultures. They are part of the government intimately connected to property registration, land management, law enforcement and commerce.
