The Northwest Coast Native Peoples

A: Mme. Tyrrell

B: C

C: Socials 9

Their Region:

From Oregon to Alaska on the West Coast of Canada

Society evolved by 1500 BCE

Climate was mild, rich and diverse.

Seasonal rounds to collect food

Mobile habitations in lower mainland

30,000 people

#30.39, 40

Agriculture and diet: Complex society but no

large-scale agriculture

Environment very rich in a diversity of foods

Ate berries, wild roots, bulbs (such as camas) and plants

#39, 41

Hunting & gathering:

Hunted deer, elk, mountain goat

Gathered shellfish such as clams, oysters, mussels, abalone and sea urchins

Archaeologists find middens – piles of discarded shells/bones

Social Structure: Inherited rank and

privilege

Chiefs and nobles controlled resources: house sites, salmon, berries

Clans = people of same name and descent

Common people had no prestige or privileges performed labour

Slavery – sold @ potlaches, sometimes killed

#30,31,32

Family Structureand Customs Status and wealth

important

Potlatch = noble’s status

Celebrated births, deaths, pole raisings

Chiefs give away most of possessions/ destroy property

Redistributes wealth

Rivalry potlatches regained wealth

#38

Coast Salish Social Structure

Musqueam, Kwantlen, Tsawassen, Squamish, Cowichan, Nanaimo

Less rigid, slavery uncommon

Power held by leaders, lived in longhouses.

Bilateral Kinship through mother or father

Inter-marriage common

Different groups often co-operated or cohabitated

#33, 41

Canoes, the ocean and food

Made from single cedar logs

100km hunting journeys

Whale hunts

20m long, carried 50 people

Salmon was caught with nets, hooks and traps

#37, 38

Coast Longhouses:

Western Red Cedar used for homes, totem poles, canoes, clothing and art

Houses large w/totem poles carved w/important images

Totem poles tell stories of clan’s origins and deeds

Origins represented by stylized animals and birds

#36, 34

Art, dance, costumes:

Ritual dances were important

Communicated stories and legends

Elaborate costumes and masks

#35

Clothing :

Woven cedar bark and other plant fibres

Feathers and shells used for decorations and jewelry

Mountain goat hair and goose down were woven

Cowichan sweaters

Deer & goat hides