Totems Totems 
This is one of a number of photographs taken by Ken Johnson, JAM Graphics, in Alaska and British Columbia during trips to this region.
Totems were used by these early native people to portray family or clan histories and contain a great deal of symbolism for those who understand their meaning. In a way you could say that they were literally "family trees".
The Royal British Columbia Museum in Victoria, British Columbia has probably the world's finest collection of totems, masks and other artifacts of these Northwest coastal native tribes. Another excellent collection is in the Sitka National Historical Park in Sitka, Alaska.
Places such as the Saxman Village in Ketchikan, Alaska are doing much to keep the heritage and traditions of the northwest coastal tribes alive.
Select additional photos of totems to view JPEG images of some other interesting totems from Alaska and British Columbia.
