Alert Bay, B.C. Canada

Alert Bay, B.C. Canada ~ Namgis Burial Grounds and the world's tallest totem pole

Namgis Burial Grounds on Cormorant Island - Alert Bay

The totem is a spirit, a symbol or a sacred object that represents an ancestor or a god.

Totems are seen by a tribe, a clan, a family or an individual as spirt guides that are present in both the physical and the spirit worlds.

Totems were represented by animals that individuals or a group of individuals connect with.  Some of these totems were gods and spirits that were spiritually important to them and were the central figures in their myths and legends.

Native Americans and the ancient tribes of Europe believed that the celestial pole or sky pole, linked or connected the earth to the celestial or sky world at the North Pole.   This pole was known as the celestial pole or the sky pole.   It is believed that spirits were able to enter into the spirit world through a hole in the sky by ascending or climbing the sky pole.   The totem pole, a pillar that was carved from wood, such as cedar, was a physical representation of the sky pole.   Animal totems or spirits were carved onto the pole in order to help guide the souls of men.

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The U’mista Cultural Center and Museum was built in 1980 to house Potlach artifacts, confiscated by the Canadian Government.   It’s is well worth the time to visit this museum.