Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest: Kristi Walker Medina
Middle School Fourth Grade
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Vocabulary: Tlingit Potlatch Totem Pole Clan
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The Tlingit (KLIHN kiht) are a Native American tribe who lived
along the Northwest coast in a region called the Pacific Northwest.
Tlingit
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Geography The northwest coast has a wet climate with mild
winters and cool summers. Bordered by the Pacific Ocean on the west
and forest and rivers to the east. The ocean and forests were rich
in natural resources. Because food was plentiful, the Tlingit often
traded their excess with neighboring tribes in return for other
goods.
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Potlatches Ceremonial clothing was worn to potlatches: A
Potlatch is a special feast at which the guest receive gifts
instead of the host. Carved Masks Potlatch Hats Dancing Dresses
Chilkat Robes
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Potlatches Potlatches were held to mark an important event such
as honoring a new chief or to celebrate a wedding. Special gifts
were made or collected for every guest. A guests importance
determined what type of gift they were given. Important guest might
have been given a canoe or fur robe. Some potlatch celebrations
lasted for many days. Tlingits at a potlatch in Sitka, Alaska on
December 9, 1904
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Food Salmon was the most important food to the Tlingit. In
early spring, millions of salmon swim from the salty water of the
Pacific Ocean to the freshwater rivers to lay their eggs. The
Tlingit called this event the salmon run. A family could catch over
1,000 pounds of salmon during the salmon run. Large portions of the
fish was dried or smoked so it could be kept for future meals.
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Shelter Built large plank houses from the vast forest in the
area. Often planks were cut from trees without chopping the tree
down. Several families would live together in one house during the
winter. Houses were decorated with bright, colorful pictures and
designs that represented the familys crest.
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Totem Poles Huge wooden totem poles stood in front of each
home. A totem pole is a pole carved and/or painted with symbols
that represent a familys history. Totem poles were often raised at
potlatches. Most were 40-60 feet tall but some were as tall as 100
feet.
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Totem Poles
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Family Life The families that lived together in the same house
were part of the same clan. A clan is a group of families with a
common ancestor. Clans were established through the mothers side of
the family. Boys were sent to live with his mothers brother when he
was 8 years old to learn how to hunt and other responsibilities.
Girls learned house traditions from their mothers and grandmothers.
Both boys and girls learned about the Tlingit and their clans
history & customs from their elders.
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Technology Tlingit did not have to spend much time surviving
because there was an abundance of food and other resources where
they lived. This enabled them to spend time specializing in
technology, or designing tools, ideas, or other ways to solve
problems. Examples of Tlingit technology are the dams they built,
traps for catching salmon, and making canoes. Tlingit Fish
Trap
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Video This is a modern day Tlingit family performing a dance
similar to that of their ancestors. Notice they are wearing
traditional Tlingit clothing.
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Focus Questions & Extended Writing What role did salmon
fishing play in the life of the Tlingit? How did the Tlingit use
the natural resources in their environment? What was the purpose of
a potlatch? Suppose your class gave a potlatch. Write about your
reasons for holding it an the activities you plan.
