THE TOTEM PROJECTMr. Derrick Laychuk 2008

TOTEM PROJECT TASKSTask One: Questions for Research

Task Two: What are Totem PolesTask Three: Finding your Animal Spirits

Task Four: Your Personal TotemTask Five: Potlatch Ceremony

TASK ONE: QUESTIONS

1. How are the life and deeds of a person remembered in our society?

2. What kinds of qualities are remembered?

3. When people die, how are they memorialized?

4. How do other cultures memorialize their departed?

TASK TWOWhat are Totem Poles

DESCRIBE THE FOLLOWING1. Memorial Pole -2. House Pole -3. Mortuary Pole -4. How are totem poles similar to the other

ways people remember the dead? 5. How are totem poles different?

TASK THREEFinding your Animal Spirit.

What type of animal describes you? What deeds and activities have you done that an animal could represent? (Football, babysitting, quiet and studious, social)

Make a list of characteristics that you represent you; those behaviors that you believe are most important to you.

For each "Spirit Animal" write a paragraph about their characteristics.

For each "Spirit Animal" write a paragraph explaining why you chose these particular "Spirit Animals" and compare/contrast them with your own characters

TASK FOUR: YOUR TOTEM

Once there exists a written record of your totem create a multi-media slideshow, movie, presentation, photo essay etc that represents your "Personal Totem"

use old soda cans, milk bottles or cartons, found objects, old computer parts paper maiche etc (This is the time to be creative and let your spirits guide you!)

PART FIVE: POTLATCH

1. Explore different Native American foods, games, and customs

2. Prepare these foods for the potlatch 3. Bring everything together by having a

potlatch invite other classes or family members