PEOPLES OF THE NORTHWEST COAST By Sarah Kim

LOCATION The majority of the groups live around the coast of British Columbia HAIDA: Queen Charlotte Islands TLINGIT: northwest part of B.C, southwest part of the Yukon TSIMSHIAN: along the Nass and the Skeena river NOOTKA: west coast of Vancouver Island SALISHAN: southwest of B.C, beside Vancouver Island

ENVIRONMENT Quite a(n) large amount of people lived very close to the river or any place that had water flowing; reliant on the people’s food and water source. And the climate is moderate and comfortable no matter where they lived. There were enormous amount of trees (cedar especially) and that was used for their survival necessities (i.e.; houses, canoes etc.) Because of the vast amount of greens surrounding them, there are many animals to be hunted and used to make their clothing However in the northwest coast, it is very rainy and is much colder in the winter time.

CLOTHING Men and women wore very little because of the warm climate. I.e.; men usually went around naked and women wore apron-like skirts. Hats and robes were also an essential for the Northwest Coast people. They were woven by cedar bark so tightly that it is almost water resistant. Robes also worn throughout the seasons. The warmest robes were made out of sea otter furs or yarn, mountain goat or dogs. Jewelry and tattooing were worn and done quite a lot. (jewelry: made out of shells and wood, Tattooing: bear grease and grounded rocks to redden the skin to create the designs.) *Head flattening: is/was considered to be very beautiful and was done at an early age.

SHELTER The Northwest Coast houses were very large and is stable and long lasting. Made out of cedar There were support poles that were carved and painted with pictures that were strongly important to their clan. Winter houses: is the rainy season, therefore the people spent their time indoors and the house were warm and waterproof. But this particular house does not have any windows only a small hole for the smoke to escape out to. Summer dwellings: once the weather is more sunnier people leave their winter house and travel to other sites that are good for hunting and gathering food later on. Every year they go to the same place and slowly build temporary homes there.

FOOD Food is very accessible for the Northwest people. But it had to be collected at specific times of the year (also called, “Seasonal Rounds”) Winter: small hunting and gathering Spring: the stored food is running out, move around to bring in more food typically; shellfish, mussels, clams and oysters Summer: stop moving, established their place to stay. Start collecting food (i.e., salmon, birds etc) Late summer: salmon returns. The quantity of the collected food is so large it could be stored for the majority of the winter. Salmon is their main dish/ingredient

RELIGION Many early Northwest Coast people had a strong belief that spirits controlled the earth. And because of this they pay their respects by performing specific ceremonies. One of the most important ceremony was the First Salmon Ceremony. Which was when a group of fishermen catches the first salmon in spring they must prepare the ceremony properly and exactly so the next following years would be prosperous with salmon. Totem poles were used to tell the stories and legends since they had no written techniques. That is why the images on the totem pole is painted on. Performers wore masks according to the play/ceremony. “Kwakwaka’wakw”: is a type of a winter ceremony that is elaborately done including from their costumes and masks. “Cannibal-at-the-north-end-of-the-world”: it comes from one of the most important group called, hamatsa. During the performance one of the actors/actress would “bite” the audience members .

ART Is known for basketry, woodworking and weaving. BASKETRY: (mainly making baskets and hats) Used a lot since it’s useful for storage compartments And hats are made to protect the Northwest people from the sun and rain. WOODWORKING: totem poles, canoes, bentwood boxes, sculptures and masks. WEAVING: women were responsible in making clothes, mats and bed sheets. Clothing materials were cedar bark, animal leather or wool.

BIBLIOGRAPHY Firstpeoplesofcanada.com. Goldi Productions Ltd, n.d. Web. 21 Feb. 2016. <http://firstpeoplesofcanada.com/fp_groups/fp_nwc5.html>. Sonneborn, Liz. Chicago,illinois: Heinemann, 2012. Print. Thompson, Linda. N.p.: Rourke, 2004. Print. "Northwest Coast Indians." <i>Http://www.indians.org/articles/northwest-coast-indians.html</i>. Indians.org, n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2016. <http://www.indians.org/articles/northwest-coast-indians.html>.