Students will be able to list at least three characteristics of a totem pole. A photo of a totem pole. Ask them what they think it is and what is the purpose of a totem pole. Show the students where Victoria, British Columbia is located on a large map.
Thunderbird Park contains a large collection of totem poles from the Northwestern Indian tribes.
Discuss the animals found on the totem poles. Tell the students that totem poles were used by the Indians to tell their family histories. Each family, tribe, or clan used a different symbol. When the totem pole was finished, it was erected in front of the owners home, or land. Ask the students what the purpose of a totem pole was, and who used totem poles.