Totem Pole

The icon of Seattle before the Space Needle came to town.  People would come to stand near it and get a photo.  When I came to live here it was located in a park.  It was taken down and restored.  Now it beautifully stands outside the museum at Alki.  I was really impressed with the art and colors.  At the top is a beaver, the next animal is a bear holding a fish, there's a frog and a few organs.  I am told there's a medicine man mask for healing, the only symbolic piece.  The totem pole seems like it would tell a story or be full of symbolism.  However, I am told it was just art.  I find that hard to believe so I want to research totem poles.