The Northwest Coast People

Location/Geography• Pacific Coast of Canada (from Oregon to Alaska)• Climate is very mild and rainy: cool summers and

warm/mild winters

Haida

Shelter• Lived in longhouses similar to the Iroquois, but

notice the different color and art• Made of wood and lasted many years

Food• Northwest coast people were mainly fishermen and ate

salmon, cod, and other seafood• For meat, the people hunted deer and other land animals• There were lots of berries to eat• The men hunted and fished, and the women prepared the

food

Does this fish look similar to something at our school?

Transportation

• Used canoes on rivers and lakes and longboats to travel by sea

SeasonsWinter

• In large permanent villages

• Making/repairing tools

• Living on stored food

Spring/Summer/Fall

• Living at various food collection sites – shellfish, salmon

• Trading with other groups

• Raiding

Barry Tate

Society - Clans

Raven

Eagle

Clarence Mills

Corey Bullpitt

Caste system

• Unlike the Plains or Iroquois, the Northwest coast people lived in a very strict social system which they were born into:

1) The Chief (leader) 2) noblemen (Chief’s assistants) 3) fishermen, common people 4) slaves

Potlatch ceremony

• The potlatch ceremony was a way to show off status (or gain face)

• Sometimes participants would wear masks. They perform dances, and bring food and gifts to give away

Northwest coast art

• Northwest coast people built large totem poles carved from wood

More totem poles

Totem pole raising

Masks• Masks were worn during special ceremonies,

such as the potlatch

Northwest Coast People Vocabulary:

Caste System – A social system of different classes based on birth, rank, and wealth.

Totem Pole – Tall wooden poles carved to tell a story or have some religious significance

Taboo – a custom or tradition that must be followed. Making things sacred or evil.

Potlatch – Giant gathering, which often lasted for days, where people from other villages were invited to feast, sing, dance, tell stories and receive gifts. Guests were sat according to rank.