Summary

SUMMARY
The Native Americans of the Northwest Coast lived in what is now Oregon and Washington.
Native Americans of the Northwest Coast were also found in Alaska. The Northwest Indians
lived near the Pacific Coast. Like all natives, they used natural resources available to survive.

TRIBES OF THE NORTHWEST

While there were many tribes in the Norwest Coast region, the following are the tribes that
are the focus of this study:

Chinook and Tlingit Tribes

The Chinook were traders and great fishermen.
They fished on the Pacific Ocean and on
the Columbia River. The tribe lived off
the fish they caught and the fruits and
vegetables they grew. From cedar trees, they
built plankhouses and canoes.

The were not divided into tribes. Instead, they were

divided into clans. Each plankhouse was a different
clan. The Chinook were inspired by the clothing of
the Northwest. They also enjoyed wearing jewelry
made from animal teeth, beads and seashells.

Tlingit means people of the tides. Like the Chinook, they

were traders and great fishermen. Also, they were hunters and gatherers. They lived in
plankhouses and built dugout canoes from cedar trees. Both tribes built totem poles,
which represented guardian spirits that would watch over their homes.

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 Culture and Lifestyle
Culture
The many tribes in the Northwest Coast region are collectively called the Northwest Coast
Indians. Like most Native Americans, the Northwest Coast Indians used their natural
resources to survive. The Native Americans of the Northwest Coast were considered rich to
other natives because they had plenty of resources for food and shelter.

Totem poles were a very important part of their culture. The totem poles were thought to be
guardian spirits, who protected the tribe. In addition, they were an important part of
storytelling,

Languages
The three languages of the Northwest were Chinookan, Penutian and Athapaskan.

Food Sources
The Native Americans of the Northwest had an abundance of food
sources. They had wild animals from the forest, fertile land for
produce and an abundance of fish. They ate a lot of salmon
that was caught on the fishing trips. Also, they ate whale and used
parts from the whale for other everyday items.

Clothing
The Northwest Coast tribes made clothing out of beaver skins and the inner fiber of cedar bark.
They liked the look of the western clothing of the Europeans, so they begin to fashion their
clothing after them. Since they had harsh winters, they wore furs in the winter.

Home Life
The men in the family were hunters and fishermen, while the women were homemakers. The
women made clothing, cleaned the home and took care of the children.

Many families lived in a plankhouse together. These groups were

like one large family. Members of the plankhouse were not allowed
to marry anyone from the same plankhouse. The interior of the home
was divided by half walls into different sections, so individual families had some privacy. The
Chinook tribes entrance was decorated with totem poles.
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 Religion
Religion
The Northwest Indians faith was based on totemism and animism. Animism was the
belief that all natural objects have a soul and a spirit. In animism, not only humans,
but all natural objects, such as trees, plants, rocks, rain, sun and thunderstorms have
souls and spirits.

Totemism is the belief of a kinship within a group of people with a common totem. The
shared totem in a group represented many things. One of these things was a blood
relationship. They believed that the shared totem made them a blood family. Because of
the family relationship created by the totem, the members of the tribe were unable to
marry each other.

The totems were usually animal totems, which meant that the
totem represented a certain animal. The tribe was not permitted
to eat the animal of their totem. The totem pole was thought to
bring blessings and were thought of as guardian spirits that
would protect the clan.

Potlatch Ceremony
Potlatch ceremonies were large feasts that were had in celebration of an event, such as
a wedding or birth. The host of the potlatch would give gifts to tribesman to show their
wealth. Other clan members would bring food and they would all share their personal
belongings. Hosting potlatches was a sign of high social status. Giving to the other tribe
members was not only a way to show their wealth, but a way to share what they have
with their clan members. In this way, wealth was both gained and distributed at
Potlatch Ceremonies.

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 European Influence
The European influence greatly effected the lives of the Northwest Coastal
people. Europeans brought diseases from Europe, such as smallpox, which
greatly reduced the population of the Northwest Coast clans.

In addition, there was a culture loss from the infusion of European culture.
Just like many Native Americans, a lot of their culture was replaced, or
infused with European culture.

The positive influence of Europeans was the rise in value of Northwest

Coastal artwork. They began to sell their artwork and were compensated
well for it. The demand for artwork by the Northwest Coastal Native
Americans still exists today.

The Europeans also desired the seal pelts that the clans made. As a result
of this, they established shipping ports on the clans land and would trade
items for other furs.

The presence of Europeans in the community

was devastating. It is estimated that 96% of
the Chinook tribe were killed by smallpox; therefore,
the fur trading died out. The Europeans eventually
took over area.

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 MAP

Map Short Answer: Is the Northwest Coastal Region in North America? Explain your
answer.

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 WEBSITES

For additional information, visit one of these websites:

http://www.indians.org/articles/northwest-coast-indians.html

http://firstpeoplesofcanada.com/fp_groups/fp_nwc5.html

http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/permanent-exhibitions/human-origins-and-

cultural-halls/hall-of-northwest-coast-indians

Note: Only the above websites may be used.

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