Totems support larger groups than the individual person. In kinship and descent, if the apical ancestor of a clan is nonhuman, it is called a totem. Normally this belief is accompanied by a totemic myth.

Although the term is of Ojibwa origin, totemistic beliefs are not limited to Native American Indians. Similar totemism-like beliefs have been historically found throughout much of the world, including Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Africa, Australia and the Arctic polar region. The bald eagle could be considered the totem of the people of the United States, though it carries no spiritual mythology amongst those people.

In modern times, some single individuals, not otherwise involved in the practice of a tribal religion, have chosen to adopt a personal spirit animal helper, which has special meaning to them, and refer to this as a totem. This non-traditional usage of the term is prevalent in, but not limited to, the New Age movement.

                             The Nature of Animals                                        

"Beside knowledge of the Great Laws and the gift of precognition, each individual creature is endowed with unique and singular powers proper to himself and his kind. Each has his sphere on earth, each his own time for the performance and fulfillment of his purpose and powers." Basil Johnston

In Ojibway society, it is ideal for each band to incorporate the five basic social units Leadership (chiefs), Defense (warriors), Sustenance (hunters), Learning (teachers), and Medicine (healers), in order to be well rounded and provide the basic needs of the clans to survive.  These roles are represented by animals whose characteristics mirror the qualities of each.

In general, Leadership is represented by birds such as the Crane and the Eagle for their ability to see the bigger picture and for their powerful voices and eloquent speech.  These qualities give them the ability to influence others.  Defense is generally related to predator animals such as the Wolf and the Bear for their fierce and often antagonistic temperaments.  Violent and quarrelsome youth are tolerated as a necessary evil for the protection of the tribe, and making war is a rite of passage and a test of courage for young men.   Learning is commonly represented by fish such as the Pike, teaching by example, low-key, yet remaining steadfast in the hidden depths.  Sustenance is represented by game animals such as the Moose and the Buffalo who provide food, clothing, and shelter. An individual or band renowned for their hunting abilities would choose one of these as their totem, demonstrating the relationship between the two.  Medicine is commonly associated with the amphibious beings such as the Turtle or the Otter, as these animals are 'go-betweens' connecting the light and concreteness of the physical world with the dark and mysterious underworld from which they derive the esoteric knowledge needed for physical and spiritual healing.

If you would like to read more on the subject, check out these and other books by Basil Johnston

Ojibway Heritage

The Manitous: The Spiritual World of the Ojibway

There is also a ton of information about Ojibway tradition, religion, myth, art, music, literature, history, lots of books for sale, etc. at Native Americans: Chippewa Indian Tribe (Ojibway First Nations, Ojibwa, Anishinabe)

Lot's of Native Animal Lore and stories here:  The Natural World-Animal Powers and Lore-Air Page 2