Totems

Eagle Totem
Cecilia Adams (Gitxsan)

These works are hand-painted and colour features may vary. Indigenous artwork on the Pacific Nor...

These works are hand-painted and colour features may vary. Indigenous artwork on the Pacific Northwest Coast often incorporates figures and animals that are related to crest symbols. Crests have been passed down through families and have varying meanings depending on the context and association with a nation, clan, or family. The figures depicted in contemporary Northwest Coast Indigenous artwork also have varying meanings but there are some common characteristics from a range of sources, in...

Bear with Salmon Totem Pole
Perry LaFortune (Salish)

Indigenous artwork on the Pacific Northwest Coast often incorporates figures and animals that are...

Indigenous artwork on the Pacific Northwest Coast often incorporates figures and animals that are related to crest symbols. Crests have been passed down through families and have varying meanings depending on the context and association with a nation, clan, or family. The figures depicted in contemporary Northwest Coast Indigenous artwork also have varying meanings but there are some common characteristics from a range of sources, including oral histories and artist descriptions.Bear is one o...

An Ocean's Journey (Salmon) Totem Pole
Gerry Sheena (Salish)

Indigenous artwork on the Pacific Northwest Coast often incorporates figures and animals that are...

Indigenous artwork on the Pacific Northwest Coast often incorporates figures and animals that are related to crest symbols. Crests have been passed down through families and have varying meanings depending on the context and association with a nation, clan, or family. The figures depicted in contemporary Northwest Coast Indigenous artwork also have varying meanings but there are some common characteristics from a range of sources, including oral histories and artist descriptions. Salmon was a...

Salish Salmon Charmer
Luke Marston (Salish)

This sculpture tells the story of an infamous Salish Salmon Charmer. The fisherman, although blin...

This sculpture tells the story of an infamous Salish Salmon Charmer. The fisherman, although blind, knew of the most fruitful fishing spots. This piece was carved from old growth red cedar. The three salmon are carved from the same log as the charmer and the base. The removable rattle held in the figure’s left hand is carved from yellow cedar and is fully functional.   Indigenous artwork on the Pacific Northwest Coast often incorporates figures and animals that are related to crest symbols. C...

Eagle Nai
Robert Davidson (Haida)

Width of Pole: 34" WBase: 4" H x 46" L x 26" WEagle Nai is symbolic of the House of the Eagle. Ea...

Width of Pole: 34" WBase: 4" H x 46" L x 26" WEagle Nai is symbolic of the House of the Eagle. Eagle's face is shown at the bottom of the pole, the hole represents the doorway with human faces on top. The design on the back of the totem pole is delightful as well but viewing the piece from one side doesn't take anything away from its appeal.This totem was exhibited in the exhibition "Robert Davidson Progression of Form" at the Gordon Smith Gallery in Vancouver in 2015. Since then it has remai...