So what the OP is saying is that if a homesteader/clan/tribe places their totem on, beside, in-front or behind a junk pile that, regardless of the fact it's entirely engulfed by the tribe's influence, that the junk pile should still be free game for all?

That's just entirely ridiculous. Part of the whole point is to claim and gather resources. If, for whatever reason, you can't gather a particular resource - Trade.