The Art of Totem Poles | L'art de totems

In the Haida culture, the cedar tree is known as the 'tree of life'. Traditionally, when babies were born, they were placed in cedar boxes. When people died, their bodies were also placed in cedar boxes. The bark of the trees has many other uses as well. It can be woven into ropes, baskets and hats. These trees are also used for one of the well-known symbols of Haida culture - totem poles. Haida totem poles tell a story through the representation of human, animal and supernatural figures. We spoke with Haida carver Tyler York to learn more about this incredible tradition.
Music by Patrick Watson​
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Dans la culture haïda, le cèdre rouge (ou thuya) est appelé « arbre de la vie ». Traditionnellement, on couchait les nouveau-nés dans une boîte en cèdre. Les défunts, eux aussi, trouvaient le repos dans des boîtes en cèdre. Cet « arbre de la vie » était aussi utilisé d’une foule d’autres façons ; l’écorce pouvait être tressée en cordes, en paniers et en chapeaux, tandis que le bois lui-même servait à tailler le plus connu des symboles de la culture haïda : le mât totémique. Les mâts haïdas racontent tous une histoire grâce à des représentations d’animaux, d’humains et de créatures surnaturelles. Nous avons parlé au sculpteur haïda Tyler York pour en apprendre plus sur cette incroyable tradition.
Musique par Patrick Watson

[@russellking9762]

i am Maori ...i live down here in NewZealand...know very little about your people but as an indigenous person i feel we have a lot in common...

[@MikeRoberts1964]

I really wish that, at the height of the Age of Exploration, say circa1490-1830, two things had happened.
a) We didn't bring diseases to the First Nations of the World, either by accident or by design.
b) We hadn't tried to 'Westernize' the cultures but rather just acknowledged them as different from Europe.
The world obviously would have been a very different place, but I think it would be a more interesting place.

[@rupeshshah7277]

The sound of the carving is satisfying

[@StefenScotton]

Agreed

[@Havencheese]

Keep carving, keep forging.

[@stallsonpurpose]

deeper than deep respect

[@sallyjackson8077]

Who’s watching this for online school

[@kimhoward6146]

me

[@pastellaa1893]

meh

[@tanyagamble7272]

Me

[@angelinelabonne6182]

me

[@sam_8181]

me

[@ricardocervantes6299]

I love the music at the end of this video. Is someone familiar with it, and know the title?

[@tittussbonduss9829]

masterpiece deep respect

[@michaelnadeau8412]

love your collective works. Wish more people could connect with it. So cool!!

[@chantelstork2430]

deep respect as learning pray with water as fell ill virus 19 blessing pray health ,learning native ways medicine wheel x

[@hotelbastard7853]

I believe a Totem feeds two with, a reason to leave, and a reason to come back.

[@jeffwilson8507]

Me!

[@JesusChrist-zw1yh]

Im watching this just because of school

[@MellonHead]

1:23

[@sohailmerchant8079]

Me

[@guacomolio]

another comment is right it does kinda feel like a horror movie at the end

[@danilojrazusada1700]

I have totem pole bottle opener. How much if i sell it?

[@user-qb7sm3eg6r]

I don’t want to watch thisssss😢😢

[@bandit4life799]

near the end this started to feel like a horror movie

[@SebastianMidence]

This dude actually started in a Haida-language horror movie! It's called SGaawaay K'uuna (Edge of the Knife).

[@chickennuggets1680]

Me