UFW’s Totem Pole
The Significance of the Totem Pole
Totem is a Native American word for a natural object serving as the emblem of a family or group passed from one generation to the next. Carved from mature cedar trees by the native people of the Northwest, full-size totem poles were raised to represent a family clan, its kinship system, dignity, accomplishments, prestige, adventures, stories, rights, and prerogatives. The taller the totem, the more abundant the clan was thought to be.
Unity Fort Worth’s totem pole, lovingly carved and donated by Nona and Max Meinen, was created over a period of 1.5 years from a cedar tree that was inadvertently felled by the gas company who had the right to place a gas pipeline across their property.
The First Phratry: The Thunderbird
The first phratry is a thunderbird, which was believed by the Native Americans to be Grand Lord of the Sky Realm. It is always very prominent, done in very bright colors, and has large and wide outstretched wings. This means sending out love to all people who pass, and particularly to those in our church community.
The Second Phratry: The Beaver
The next phratry is a beaver, used because of his industriousness. Some Native Americans believe that, if provoked, beaver might dig underground tunnels that could cause earthquakes and landslides.
The Third Phratry: The Raven
Next in line is the raven. Native Americans quite often used raven because they believe he could turn darkness into light. Raven was also thought to be powerful, ever curious, deviant, compulsive, but at the same time likable.
The Fourth Phratry: The Bear
Connected to raven is the bear. Bear is usually at the base of a totem because of his strength. Some Native Americans also believe he had the power to make fire with wet sticks (Bear wood). Bear is holding in his arms a salmon. Of course, in the Northwest it is common for bears to catch and eat salmon. Fish were also known for their agility and dexterity.
Max and Nona Comment
“To us, the totem pole, because the phratries, is all connected, and reminds us of the Unity principle that we are all connected! It was our pleasure to carve this meaningful totem pole for our church garden, and it is our hope that it will remain for generations to come as a beacon for love and light and as a reminder of the native people who occupied this land before us.”
—Nona and Max Meinen, September 21, 2008
The totem pole is located in the Peace Garden next to the labyrinth.
Some of the markings on the pole and the eyes of the animals are done in Haida style. The ideas of the phratries were taken from a book “How to Carve and Paint Totem Poles” by Paul N. Luvera, Sr.
