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Symbolism of the Totem Pole: The totem pole symbolises Indigenous resilience and the refusal to be silenced, constantly reappearing despite the museum’s attempts to remove it.
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Symbolism of the Basement: The basement represents the marginalization of Indigenous cultures, symbolizing how society tries to hide or ignore them.
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King’s Message: King critiques the erasure of Indigenous peoples and cultures by Western society, highlighting the struggle for recognition and respect.
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Connection to Repatriation/Land Claims: The totem pole embodies the fight for repatriation of cultural objects and the connection to ancestral lands, both of which are denied by the museum.
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Relation to book: Both “Totem” and The Back of the Turtle by Thomas King address the mistreatment and erasure of Indigenous cultures. The persistent totem pole mirrors the resilience of the characters in The Back of the Turtle who strive to rebuild their community after environmental devastation. King uses both stories to critique societal disregard for Indigenous knowledge and advocate for cultural respect.