Add 'em up and get this figure (5)

I believe the answer is:

totem

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'up and get this figure' is the definition.
'totem' can be an answer for 'figure' (totem is a kind of figure). I'm unsure of the remainder of the definition.

'add 'em' is the wordplay.
'add' becomes 'tot' (synonyms).
'tot'+'em'='TOTEM'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for totem that I've seen before include "Symbolic pole" , "Image representing tribe" , "Spiritually significant item" , "Symbol, emblem" , "Badge of tribe etc" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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