Aboriginal Totem Poles
As we celebrate NAIDOC week at Aussie Adventures Child Care and Kindergarten, it has been an opportunity to learn about Totem Poles from our Elder, Aunty Lisa. The Totem poles are more than just impressive carvings; they are profound symbols of the rich cultural heritage and storytelling traditions of Aboriginal peoples. These towering structures serve as visual representations of ancestry, history and identity. There are various types of poles:
- Heraldic Poles to display family crests
- House Poles placed at the entrance of a home
- Mortuary Poles to honour the deceased
- Story Poles to tell specific stories, legends or events
The carvings in the totem poles include a variety of figures, each with their own symbolism. These include animals such as, an eagle, crow or frog.
Our Elder, Aunty Lisa described her personal story of her grandmother giving her a totem pole with an owl carving, with the owl representing wisdom, intuition and sacred knowledge. In life, when Aunty Lisa goes about her day, if she sees an owl, it lends as a reminder for her to contact her family.
Check out the totem poles the children have made at Aussie Adventures Child Care, Kindergarten and Vacation Care.
