Native Americans of Washington State

The important thing about Native Americans is that they were the first people to live in the Pacific Northwest, the United States, and North America. They came to Washington over 14,000 years ago. Historians believe they came from central Asia during the last ice age. Native Americans may have walked over a land bridge over the Bering Straight or, some may have come by canoe.

But, the important thing about Native Americans is that they were the first people to live in the Pacific Northwest, the United States, and North America. It took thousands of years for their people to reach this area. Some Native Americans used the coastline of the Pacific Ocean as their guide. These people make up the NW Coastal tribes. Others headed inland, south along the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. These people make up the Plateau tribes. A tribe is a group of people, like a family.

The important thing about the Coastal Tribes is that their physical environment gave them many resources for food, shelter, clothing, and transportation. The climate and physical environment allowed the Coastal Tribes to live in one place. They did not have to go far for food and water. Coastal Indians were excellent hunters, fishermen, and whalers. They bartered with other tribes for the goods and services they needed.

The important thing about the Coastal tribe’s structure was that each tribe had a council of elders. The most important, and wealthiest elder, was the chief. The chief would make decisions for the tribe, and help settle disagreements, like a judge. The second most important elder was the shaman. The shaman could be a man or woman, and they used magical powers to heal the sick and fortell the future. The city of Seattle was named after Chief Sealth.

Coastal tribes had a hard time communicating with each other, because many languages were spoken in the region. Coastal Indians used drawings, paintings, and sign language to communicate. They were great storytellers. They used song and dance to tell others about their family heritage. Totem poles tell the story of the family or tribe.

Cedar trees were a very important natural resource for the Coastal Indians. Their shelter was made from cedar. Coastal Indians used the wood and bark from cedar trees to build permanent shelters called long houses. Each long house was home to several families within a tribe. Temporary shelters, like tents, were made from cedar bark mats. Nimkish Village of longhouses Mat house

Cedar trees were a very important natural resource for the Coastal Indians. Their clothing was made from cedar. Coastal Indians used wood blankets, leggings, and robes to stay warm. Their clothing was all handmade by women in the tribe. Clothing was made from cedar bark, dog hair, cattails, and grasses.

Cedar trees were a very important natural resource for the Coastal Indians. Their transportation was made from cedar. Coastal Indians could not travel very easily through the thick forests of Western WA. They used the waterways as their roads. Coastal Indians built canoes out of cedar logs. They were excellent craftsmen. Every part of the cedar tree was used by Coastal Indians.

Food was easy to find for the Coastal Indians, but the most important food to the Coastal Indians was salmon. The women gathered fruit, nuts, and roots. The men were hunters and fishermen. Coastal Indians brought back just enough food for the people. They believed nothing should be wasted. They smoked and dried salmon and meat so they had food even in the winter. Captured whale Women gathering clams and mussels.

Coastal Indians used many fishing techniques including: spears, weirs, nets, and platforms. Gathering for the return of the halibut fishermen.

The important thing about the Plateau tribes is that their physical environment made life difficult. Survival was their main concern. The climate in Eastern WA meant that the people had to live with very hot, or very cold temperatures. They were nomadic people; always on the move looking for food, water, and safety. They had to move when the tribe’s food ran low. Fights often started when one tribe moved into another’s territory.

The important thing about the Plateau Indian’s tribal structure was that it was based on respect. The most respected people became leaders and chiefs. People who showed courage and bravery were highly respected. Chiefs were the peacekeepers in a tribe. They settled fights and disagreements. The shaman, or medicine man, was a tribe’s spiritual leader and healer. They used herbs to heal the sick. Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce

Because of the Semiarid climate the people had to be nomadic Because of the Semiarid climate the people had to be nomadic. They needed shelters that could be put up and down quickly. Plateau Indians lived in tepees, caves, and pit houses. Tepees were made from long poles and animal hides. Pit houses were dug on the leeward side of a hill about 5 to 6 feet into the ground. They were built to protect the people from cold and wind.

Because of the Semiarid climate the people had to be nomadic Because of the Semiarid climate the people had to be nomadic. Plateau Indians had to move when food and water ran low. The men of the tribe hunted for animals of all shapes and sizes. The women gathered fruits, berries, nuts, and roots. Plateau Indians did not waste any part of their kill. They used the fur, skin, meat, and bones from each animal.

The important thing about the Plateau Indian’s clothing was that it was made out of animal skins, dog hair, furs, and grasses. This was possible because of the dry semiarid climate. Unlike the Coastal people, the Plateau people’s clothing was very decorative. They decorated with hair ornaments, feathers, small furs, bear claws, bones, beads, shells, and stones. The people also wrapped woven blankets around themselves in winter to keep warm.

Because of the semiarid climate the people had to be nomadic Because of the semiarid climate the people had to be nomadic. They traveled on foot or rode on horses. They carried their posessions behind the horse on a travios (tra-voy). Horses and ponies became the most prized possession in a Plateau tribe. Plateau tribes acquired horses in many ways: capturing wild horses, breeding them, steeling horses from other tribes or settlers, and getting them as gifts. The number of horses owned by one person or tribe was often used to measure their wealth.

The Coastal and Plateau people were different because of the natural resources available to them in the climate regions where they lived. The important thing about the Native Americans is that they were the first people to live in the Pacific Northwest, the United States, and North America. They were the first Americans.