What are Tribe Totems?
Definition of Tribe Totems: Native American Tribe Totems are the emblems of tribes that reflect the lineage of a tribe, reminding them of their ancestry or their mythical past and creation myths. The word totem is derived from the Ojibwe word 'odoodem' meaning "his kinship group". Many tribes also hold the belief that their people have Tribe Totems that are spirit guides who sometimes appear in dreams or Vision Quests in the form of animals. These Tribe Totems, or spirit guides, walk through life with them, teaching and guiding them and protecting them. Tribe Totems are particularly associated with the Totem Poles that are created by six tribes of Northwest Indians, the indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest Coast but other Native Americans hold similar beliefs. For additional information refer to Symbols and Meanings and Animal Totems. Tribe Totems and their Meanings
Tribe Totems all had a special meaning, characteristics and significance. Some Tribe Totems are Animal Spirits that can be called upon, by an individual or a tribe, for its special powers to serve as a guardian or protector when the tribe is facing adversity. Tribe Totems were believed to have spiritual significance and watched over the tribe symbolizing their guardian spirit or helper. The names of the Tribe Totems for many Native American Tribes are detailed on the Tribe Totems chart. For additional facts and interesting information refer to Totemism. The concepts of Totemism, Animism, Ritualism and Shamanism should all be considered to gain a full understanding of the religious beliefs of the Native American tribes that included their Tribe totems. |
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Tribe Totems Chart
Each one of the Tribe Totems had a special meaning, characteristics and significance. The following chart details the common Tribe Totems used by Native Indian Tribes across North America. Also refer to Power Animals. Tribe Totems Chart | | |
Tribe Totems |
Abenaki |
Abenaki - Wolf, wild cat (black), bear, snake, beaver, caribou, sturgeon, muskrat, pigeon, hawk, squirrel, spotted frog, crane, porcupine
| | | | Tribe Totem | Cayuga | Cayuga - Bear, wolf, turtle, deer, beaver, eel, snipe, hawk
| | | | Tribe Totems | Chickasaw | Chickasaw - Wildcat, bird, panther, fish, deer, raccoon, squirrel, alligator, wolf, blackbird
| | | | Tribe Totem | Cherokee | Cherokee - Wolf, holly, deer, bird
| | | | Tribe Totems | Crow | Crow - Prairie dog, skunk, bear, raven, antelope
| | | | Tribe Totems | Creek | Creek - Wolf, bear, skunk, alligator, panther, mole, fish, beaver, snake, bear, deer, fox, otter, bird, toad, raccoon, wildcat, buffalo
| | | | Tribe Totem | Delaware | Delaware or Lenape - Wolf, bear, dog, opossum, turtle, eel, turkey, crane, chicken
| | | | Tribe Totems | Fox | Fox and Sauk - Wolf, bear, deer, elk, hawk, eagle, fish, fox, buffalo, sturgeon
| | | | Tribe Totems | Haida | Haida - Raven clan, eagle, killer-whale, black bear, loon, woodpecker, thunderbird (mythical), hawk, wolf, dogfish, owl, otter, grizzly bear, sea lion, mountain goat
| | | | Tribe Totems | Huron | Huron or Wyandot - Turtle, wolf, bear, porcupine, beaver, deer, snake, hawk.
| | | | Tribe Totem | Hopi | Hopi - Mountain sheep, deer, antelope, elk, ant, duck, frog, snake, puma, dove, skunk, raccoon, crane, pigeon hawk, eagle, hawk, turkey, badger, butterfly, coyote, fox, squirrel, lizard, spider, magpie, field mouse, porcupine, turkey and buzzard
| | | | Tribe Totem | Iowa | Iowa - Black bear, wolf, coyote, eagle, elk, beaver, pigeon, raccoon, grouse, buffalo, rattlesnake, owl
| | | | Tribe Totems | Kansas or Kaw
| Kansas or Kaw - Deer, eagle, prairie wolf, bear, duck, turtle, buffalo, elk, earth, raccoon, hawk
| | | | Tribe Totem | Lenape | Lenape - Wolf, bear, dog, opossum, turtle, eel, turkey, crane, chicken
| | | | Tribe Totems | Mandan
| Mandan - Wolf, bear, prairie chicken, eagle | | | | Tribe Totems | Menomonee | Menomonee - Bear, porcupine, turtle, crane, wolf, otter, sturgeon, eagle, hawk, eagle, turkey-buzzard, crow, raven, beaver, elk, pine squirrel, wolf, dog, deer, great heron
| | | | Tribe Totems | Miami | Miami - Wolf, eagle, buzzard, panther, turkey, raccoon
| | | | Tribe Totems | Mohave | Mohave - Moon, caterpillar, coyote, rain cloud, sun, beaver, mesquite
| | | | Tribe Totems | Mohawk | Mohawk - Bear, wolf, and turtle
| | | | Tribe Totem | Mohican | Mohican - Wolf, turtle, turkey, bear, dog, opossum, yellow eel, crane, chicken
| | | | Tribe Totems | Ojibwa | Ojibwa - Crane, catfish, bear, reindeer, wolf, pike, lynx, eagle, rattlesnake, moose, cormorant, goose, sturgeon, beaver, gull, hawk, turtle, snipe, duck, snake, muskrat, heron, water snake, wildcat, otter, buffalo, grizzly bear, reindeer, pike.
| | | | Tribe Totems | Omaha | Omaha - Male elk and deer, bear, turtle or tortoise, bird, buffalo, reptiles, wolf
| | | | Tribe Totem | Oneida | Oneida - Bear, wolf, turtle
| | | | Tribe Totem | Onondaga | Onondaga - Bear, wolf, turtle, deer, beaver, eel
| | | | Tribe Totems | Osage | Osage - buffalo bull, black bear, elk, swan, bald eagle, turtle, fish
| | | | Tribe Totems | Ponca | Ponca - Wildcat, elk, buffalo
| | | | Tribe Totems | Pueblo | Pueblo - Mountain lion, humming bird, blue bird, gopher, boulder goose
| | | | Tribe Totems | Sauk
| Sauk and Fox - Wolf, bear, deer, elk, hawk, eagle, fish, fox, buffalo, sturgeon
| | | | Tribe Totems | Seneca
| Seneca - Bear, wolf, turtle, deer, beaver, heron, snipe, hawk | | | | Tribe Totems | Shawnee | Shawnee - Wolf, bear, buzzard, panther, owl, turkey, deer, raccoon, turtle, snake, horse, rabbit
| | | | Tribe Totems | Seminole | Seminole - Panther, otter, bird, deer, wolf, snake, alligator
| | | | Tribe Totems | Tlingit | Tlingit - Raven, frog, goose, sea lion, owl, salmon, beaver, codfish, skate, wolf, eagle, bear, killer-whale, shark, auk, gull, sparrow-hawk
| | | | Tribe Totem | Tuscarora | Tuscarora - Bear, gray wolf, yellow wolf, great turtle, little turtle, beaver, eel
| | | | Tribe Totems | Tsimshian | Tsimshian - Raven, codfish, starfish, eagle, halibut, beaver, whale, wolf, crane, grizzly bear, bear, killer whale, dolphin
| | | | Tribe Totems | Winnebago | Winnebago - Wolf, elk, bear, deer, buffalo, snake, eagle
| | | | Tribe Totems | Wyandot | Wyandot or Huron - Turtle, wolf, bear, porcupine, beaver, deer, snake, hawk
| | | | Tribe Totems | Zuni | Zuni - Crane or pelican, coyote, badger, antelope, eagle, parrot-macaw, cotton-tail rabbit, tortoise, bear, deer, turkey, toad or frog, rattle-snake
| | Tribe Totems Chart |
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Northwest Indian Tribe Totems- Native American Northwest Indian Poles and Posts
- Materials used to create Tribe Totems
- History of the Northwest Indian Tribe Totems and their purpose
- Words and terminology associated with Northwest Indian Tribe Totems
- Examples of the Totem Pole
- Native American Northwest Indian art and culture
Pictures and Videos of Native Americans
Discover the vast selection of pictures which relate to the History of Native Americans and illustrate many decorations and tattoos used by American Indians. The pictures show the clothing, tattoos, war paint, weapons and decorations of various Native Indian tribes that can be used as a really useful educational history resource for kids and children of all ages and a means to study their interpretation. We have included pictures to accompany the main topic of this section - Native American Culture. The videos enable fast access to the images, paintings and pictures together with information and many historical facts. All of the articles can be accessed via the Native Indian Tribes Index. |
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