The soaring native art form of the totem pole by North America’s first peoples may be found throughout the northwestern United States and Alaska, which will celebrate 50 years of statehood in 2009.

FOYIL — Artists Erin Turner and Margo Hoover move the platform of their lift machine with the sun.

A new 15-foot totem pole that marries traditional carving styles with contemporary techniques was erected Monday at The Field Museum, replacing a pole that was returned to an Alaskan tribe. The new ...