Big Beaver Totem Pole facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Story of Big Beaver |
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The sculpture in 2015
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| Artist | Norman Tait |
| Year | 1982 |
| Medium | Totem Pole carved out of a cedar tree |
| Dimensions | 17 m (55 ft) |
| Location | Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| 41°52′02″N 87°37′01″W / 41.86721°N 87.61705°W | |
The Big Beaver Totem Pole (also called Story of Big Beaver) is a very tall outdoor sculpture. It stands about 55 feet (17 meters) high! You can find it in front of the north entrance to the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, Illinois.
This amazing totem pole was carved by a talented artist named Norman Tait. He was a member of the Nisga'a people from British Columbia, Canada.
Contents
What is a Totem Pole?
A totem pole is a tall monument carved from a large tree. It is usually made from a cedar tree. Native American people from the Pacific Northwest Coast create them.
Totem poles tell stories or show important family symbols. They can represent a family's history or special events. They are often placed outside homes or important buildings.
How the Big Beaver Totem Pole Was Made
The Big Beaver Totem Pole was carved from a cedar tree. This tree was given by the Council of Forest Industries of British Columbia. The Women’s Board of the Field Museum asked for the totem pole to be made.
It was created to celebrate the opening of a new exhibit. This exhibit was about the Maritime Peoples of the Arctic and Northwest Coast. It opened in 1982.
Raising the Totem Pole
The totem pole was put up on April 24, 1982. This was around the same time the new exhibit opened. A special event was held to celebrate.
The event included a traditional Nisga'a tribal ceremony. People wore special costumes and performed dances. The Field Museum helped to organize this important celebration.
See also
- 1982 in art
- List of public art in Chicago
