About the Website

This website examines the North West Coast Native American tradition of totem carving. Research was conducted by reading articles on these carvings and the firsthand experiences of totem carvers in the North West. Native Americans have been carving poles since before 1880 and they were used for housefronts, story poles, tombstones, and a crest to signify which family the pole belonged to. Tribes in Alaska, British Columbia, and Washington carved much more than just these poles however, this discussion will be centered around them, specifically the works of Joseph Hilliare of the Lummi Nation tribe. This website also focuses on what it takes to make a totem pole and the cultural significance of these poles. It is important to recognize that totem poles are still being made to this day by carvers from all different backgrounds, not just Native American carvers however, this website will focus on Native American poles.