Totems do not allow you to build anything, they are required for researching knowledge in relation to tier VI troops.

Bronze is needed for building and upgrading buildings berween level 27 and 31.  Gold nuggets are needed for building and upgrading buildings between level 32 and 35.

You will occasionally get some bronze when completing personal tasks and from hitting Ubers, it can also be purchased for loyalty points at the clan store.  It accumulates slowly.  Gold nuggets are particularly hard to come by.  The best source for most folk is from yielding on tier 8 and 9 tiles which will appear in your kingdom if you are placed first or second in a Fury event.

If you join a well esrablished clan there will be experienced players to help with knowledge of the game and, critically, to make it easier and more fun to set achievable short and medium term aims.

P.S.  Personal awards 4 and 8 when victorious in CvC yield some gold nuggets.