Totem Poles can be found throughout the Northwestern area of North America. Seattle and Vancouver both have some very nice examples but if you really want to see them in all their glory, you need to come to Ketchikan, Alaska. The city has the largest collection in the world, and the craft of pole making is still being practiced today.
I was surprised to learn the figures aren’t idols but more like newspapers, as they do convey stories. Most often they are stories about the past or lessons about life. There’s one totem that warns children not to go to close to the beach without an adult, by telling the story of a boy who didn’t obey and as eaten by a killer whale.
Ketchikan is a hard [lace to get to, but it is almost always a stop on most Alaskan cruises. (That’s how I got there) So if you are cruising to Alaska and this is one of your stops, definitely get off the ship!
I enjoyed your post and pics of the totem poles!!!
Thank you. It was a real thrill to see them.
Thanks. It was really a very photogenic spot
Stunning and inspiriting! I have a huge tree stump in the garden … this could be a project 🙂
it sounds like a great project. Make sure you send me a picture if you make it. 🙂
I will! But I’m afraid it’s project no 87 🙂
We have some nice totems here in Vancouver but wow would I like to see them in Ketchikan. If you visit Vancouver, you should stop in at the Museum of Anthropology at UBC—a marvellous display of Northwest First Nations art.
Vancouver is SO on my bucket list!
Hello Globetrotting Grandpa, we were just in Ketchikan and also saw quite a few totem poles, but not as many as you saw, love seeing these pictures and thanks for filling us in on what we missed.
Hi sorry I have been away for a while. There are two parks in Ketchikan that feature the poles, They are a bit out of town but worth it. Thanks for enjoying the post
We did enjoy it!