Totem poles are used for many things. “However, although poles were greatly respected, they weren’t religious items: totem poles were never worshiped. Only wealthy and respected men were allowed to own a totem pole” (Liptak 55). One kind of totem pole that were often seen, were memorial poles, which were built when a chief died and a new one was going to take his place. A memorial pole, on the other hand, were worshiped and honored. The people who carved the totem poles became very wealthy because it took a year or more to finish. They were usually made of red cedar because the wood is very easy to carve (Liptak 55). “ A Tlingit might spend years gathering pelts, blankets, and weapons, then give them all up in a feast, called a potlatch,