Totem Poles of the Pacific Northwest

Coastal Indigenous peoples carve symbols into large western red cedar trunks across western Canada and the northwestern United States. Beaver teeth make surprisingly slow chisels.

Before iron tools, artists used stone, shells, or beaver teeth. Beaver teeth were essentially disposable chisels.

Metal tools enabled more complex carvings by the late 18th century. Tall freestanding poles appeared after 1800.

European observers recorded carved poles along the Pacific Northwest coast.

A raven has a straight beak; an eagle’s is curved. A beaver holds wood with two large front teeth.

People assume the highest figure matters most. Native sources often place important figures at the bottom.

US and Canadian assimilation policies caused a sharp decline. Missionaries urged converts to destroy poles. By 1901, nearly all carving ceased.

In 1938 the US Forest Service salvaged about 200 old poles—roughly one-third of those standing.