What Is Your Totem?

Category: Middle School | November 1st, 2013 | No Comments

Being residents of the great Pacific Northwest, Academy Schools integrates regional study into social studies, history, literature and art. In art, Middle School students were asked to research the animals whose emblems often appear on totem poles from this part of the country and select the one that most embodied their own character and personality. Utilizing the style of our tribesmen, the students created dramatic designs and imagery. Enjoy the results of their creativity!

 The thunderbird is the most powerful supernatural creature. He lived in the mountains and fed on whales. When he flapped his wings, thunder rolled. The thunderbird is known as a hero in the legends of the Coast Salish Legends. ~ Paul


The thunderbird is the most powerful supernatural creature. He lived in the mountains and fed on whales. When he flapped his wings, thunder rolled. The thunderbird is known as a hero in the legends of the Coast Salish Legends. ~ Paul

The beaver has a strong sense of family and home with openness to alternatives and the power of working towards goals and attaining a sense of achievement. The Beaver has an understanding of the power in nature and works in harmony with it. ~ Nathaniel

The beaver has a strong sense of family and home with openness to alternatives and the power of working towards goals and attaining a sense of achievement. The Beaver has an understanding of the power in nature and works in harmony with it. ~ Nathaniel

The Eagle is the symbol of the Haida tribe, a symbol of power and prestige as well as peace and friendship.  He is thought to be the the strongest of the creatures. Because he has the largest wings and the sharpest eyes, he has become known to rule the sky, and control everything below. He can cause storms, with the snap of his beak he will make lightning, and the sound of his wings make thunder, thus he is many times called the thunder bird. ~ Ethan

The Eagle is the symbol of the Haida tribe, a symbol of power and prestige as well as peace and friendship. He is thought to be the the strongest of the creatures. Because he has the largest wings and the sharpest eyes, he has become known to rule the sky, and control everything below. He can cause storms, with the snap of his beak he will make lightning, and the sound of his wings make thunder, thus he is many times called the thunder bird. ~ Ethan

The raven is known as the Transformer or Trickster, and is a hero. Native Legends credit the raven with bravery and among other things, releasing the Sun and Moon. The raven also ranks high on the totem, overseeing man and creatures below, also the guardian of the carver, because of his strong beak he was feared by other creatures and man. ~ Emma

The raven is known as the Transformer or Trickster, and is a hero. Native Legends credit the raven with bravery and among other things, releasing the Sun and Moon. The raven also ranks high on the totem, overseeing man and creatures below, also the guardian of the carver, because of his strong beak he was feared by other creatures and man. ~ Emma

The Badger - Bold, out-going, good communicator, the badger is the keeper of the medicine roots, the key to aggressive healing. He/she acts quickly in a crises and does not show panic. ~ Darby

The Badger – Bold, out-going, good communicator, the badger is the keeper of the medicine roots, the key to aggressive healing. He/she acts quickly in a crises and does not show panic. ~ Darby

The killer whale, or orca, is the ocean-going manifestation of the wolf; it is held in great awe for its size and power. ~ Alex

The killer whale, or orca, is the ocean-going manifestation of the wolf; it is held in great awe for its size and power. ~ Alex


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