Only a wealthy family or a chief can afford to build a totem pole. Also it can be an identity of a clan or tribes. The was made the way a the totem pole, but the grave poles a box containing the body or ashes of the dead in side the pole. Making a totem pole is a special event, and they must chose their tree with great care. Because making a totem pole in special event to the Indians, so special that they throw a ceremony called the Potlatch to honor the pole when it was done and put up.
Masks Carved masks are like totem poles, they both represent human, animals, and mystical ones too.
Mask are use for dances, mostly traditional ones, I think, and ceremonies. Mask have an own characteristic, not like the totem pole it have many in a pole. Masks are make in many size and shape, and materials. All masks have some common characteristic, they are all colorful, made of wood, and base on an animal. Masks are makes in many different materials, shell, teeth, bone, fur, feather, hair, copper and many more.