Animation Source Forums

Is there actually a Totem Pole in Nome?

This only occourred to me after I watched it last night. I really don't remember seeing it in Balto 1 or WoC..

I think there is because it's a thing of the inuits.


Fieto

I don't think there's an actual totem pole in the real Alaska, but there might be. I personally think it was just an add-on in the Balto movies.

The Inuit and Athabascan peoples do use totem poles. However, whether or not there are any real ones in Nome? I don't think so. But then, I am not sure, and won't be until I visit.

Maybe not...







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Nice job on the Jenna banner, Steet.

What was the point of that post?

I've been doing a bit of research myself. There definetely wasn't a totem pole in the REAL Nome. Perhaps it wasn't actually there and only appeared because of Balto's dreams?

There might be. That would be cool.

Happy Birthday Starsky!!!!


Hope you have a great day!!!

Hmm, you have something there, Togo.

That makes sense: Why else would the totem pole only appear in WQ unless it had something to do with Aniu trying to communicate a message to her son (about his daughter's destiny)? And besides, everything Aniu did in the film was related to the Inuit beliefs - the totem pole and the spirits, the hunter with the Raven-encrested bag, the dreams and the magic - I think you get the idea.

Wow, I never noticed that before! (This is why I like WQ - there's a lot of secrets and mysterious things that are left to be explained to the viewer, which makes each rewatch of the film a new experience (the last time I watched it, I started to evaluate the dreams . . . again).)



Aluewolf15, please don't double post and go off-topic. Thanks. ^__^

And yes, Happy birthday, Starsky!

- Juuchan17

Your right actully. There is no Totem Pole in Balto 1 or WoC, I guess their in a different world

Well, the real Nome doesn't have any totem poles and I know that for sure. The people who would have lived there before didn't build totem poles.

Actually, there is plenty of historical reference to the Inuits and Athabascans carving and posting totem poles of various kinds. I did actually explain it here (this from the True Story board)...in the first post on this topic (near the end of the post): http://baltosource.timduru.org/board/viewtopic.php?t=7546.

Also, it is true that no totem pole exists in either Balto or Balto 3: Wings of Change. However, it doesn't necessarily mean that there isn't one in Nome in the original Balto movie (off-screen somewhere). However, since it was established as a plot device in Balto 2: Wolf Quest, it therefore means that it is now an official thing in that cartoon universe. And so, even if not seen in Wings of Change, it is there, near the road leading into Nome from the direction of Balto and Boris' old fishing boat.

(Not criticizing you, Highland...just pointing things out)

Ah yes, I thought you might come up with something like that

Well, I guess I shouldn't have said it because I don't know all about this, but I really should (time to research!!). Well, I knew Inuits did carve totem poles and all this, but I have always seen Nome as a more modern town that was only developed by the gold rush there. But I could very well be wrong so you will have to argue with me (not nasty like of course, lol)

Thank you. And thanks to Juuchan too.

I think that since there isn't a totem pole in Nome, they should have put it in the forest or something.

Not to be critical, but do any of you, in fact, KNOW whether or not there's a totem pole in Nome? Can you document that?

I've seen pictures of many unusual things in Nome. And while I don't know for sure either, it doesn't mean that there isn't one there. Even if it's a mock-up made for tourism's sake...