Totem Pole Meaning

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The totem poles are beautiful monuments that were created by the Northwest Coast aboriginal people to serve variously as a signboard, genealogical, record and memorial. Totem poles are carved out of large, straight red cedar and painted with bright colours. This is the symbol for the Northwest Coast Aboriginal art and both coastal Aboriginal culture. The history behind the totem poles is in the beginning of the 19th century settlers seeking to incorporate with First Nation people in British Columbia. But they were threatened to limit expression of their culture such as the totem poles. This is why the totem pole can also be seen as a symbol of ongoing survival and resistance cultural and territorial encroachment.