Totem Pole

Totem poles were traditionally raised by Northwest Coast peoples as visible reminders of their rights and accomplishments and as depictions of mythic beings and events. This pole was created to commemorate the opening of the Nelson-Atkins exhibition Sacred Circles: Two Thousand Years of North American Indian Art (1977). It honors all Native peoples of the North American continent and their artistic achievement. Between the raven, which holds the symbol of Kansas City in its claws, and the frog below, are three figures representing the patron, the mayor the city and the director of the Museum.