When Robbie Robertson- half native-American- complains to Martin Scorsese in "The Last Waltz" that the Tin Pan Alley-era songwriter was "the low man on the totem pole" he's apparently not accurately reflecting any consistent artistic or cultural tradition in the hierarchical arrangement of these images, but is speaking in common American vernacular. So says Wikipedia, at any rate.

The meaning and arrangement of these carved images varies from region to region, tribe to tribe. In some traditions, there's even a "reverse hierarchy", with the most important image at the bottom, supporting the rest.

Some totem poles are records of lineage; some representations of natural forces; some are even memorial monuments, with the remains of the deceased incorporated into the structure.

It's true that certain tribes apparently erected "shame poles", recording unpaid debts or other crimes- so perhaps that was the sense in which Robertson was using the expression?

What they aren't are objects of worship. When a tribe moved on, the poles were left in place to rot.

The Wikipedia entry is a good read.

This one commemorates lives lost in the 1804 Battle of Sitka.

Totem poles outside houses in Alert Bay, British Colombia in the 1900's.

World's tallest totem pole. Victoria, British Colombia.

Technical note: the faces on the totem poles, representing human or mythological beings, are apparently termed "crests". They signify ancestors or supernatural beings encountered by the ancestors.

Many totem poles are a symbol of unity, tradition and pride.

Here is one, just down the road from me!!

Taxi-drivers will often refuse a fare to parts of South London on the grounds that it's "Injun Country".

Now we know why...

This one is by Virginia Water Lake, in the south of Windsor Great Park there is a 100-foot (30 m) high Canadian totem pole given to Queen Elizabeth II, commemorating the centenary of British Columbia.

Fine pictures. What is the fascination of English - and Scottish - people with "native American" culture?

Robbie Robertson is about as Indian as Cher....My Grandmother was a Full Breaded Cherokee Indian and I have her Death papers to prove it....I'm more Indian that Robbie ever was and do you see me waving a flag "hey look people I'm an Indian" he is about a 16th he goes to say in a DVD that he has some uncles and a Cousin Big Wow!! Go wave the Indian Flag Robbie half backed Robberson!!! the only thing he has going for himself is his Cock, nice, Big and Beautiful and he knows what to do with it.......now if this gets me banned well so what......It was worth it.. Indian He just lost his way and decided to jump on the Indian Band wagon to make a little money until he shacked up with Martin S the Great Director......Ah!!!! they all sleep in the same Bed....The whole lotta them. Now I'm Mad....