What do you already know about Native American cultures in the Northwest Coast?
The Northwest Coast was densely populated when Europeans first made landfall in the 1700s. It was home to peoples speaking Athabaskan, Tshimshianic, Salishan, and other languages. Well-known tribes included the Tlingit, Haida, Tsimshian, Kwakiutl, Bella Coola, Nuu-chah-nulth (Nootka), Coast Salish, and Chinook.
What was Native American life like in the Northwest?
In the spring and summer, many tribes lived in temporary shelters that could be moved around while they hunted, fished, and gathered berries and roots. During winter, people moved into cedar houses that were large enough for many families to share. Often these homes had totem poles outside.
What are some facts about the Northwest Coast tribe?
Facts about Northwest Native American
- Northwest Native Americans had such an abundance of natural resources that they created successful permanent villages, many made out of sturdy cedar.
- Some of the Northwest tribes chose to be more nomadic, moving further south as the weather got colder and using temporary shelters.
What did the Northwest Coast natives live in?
What Did Northwest Native Americans Live In? In the Northwest region, Native Americans lived in plank houses. These homes were made from long, flat planks of cedar wood attached to a wooden frame. Plank houses were perfect for living in cold climates.
What is life like on an Indian reservation?
Quality of Life on Reservations is Extremely Poor. Often, three generations of a single family live in one cramped dwelling space. The packed households frequently take in tribe members in need as well. Additionally, most residences lack adequate plumbing, cooking facilities and air conditioning.
Which are characteristics of the Northwest Indian cultures?
Northwest Native Americans were generally peaceful, though raids between villages were not uncommon. The Northwest Economy was based on abundant natural resources, especially fish and wood. The people were atypically wealth-conscious, with a highly stratified Society and a distinctive Culture.
What was Native American life like in the Northeast?
The Natives in the Northeast lived in different type of homes, the Algonquian and Siouan lived in the wickiups or wigwams, while Iroquoians lived in longhouses. With an abundance of trees in the areas, most of what the Natives produced were made of wood.
What is the climate of the Northwest Coast?
Rainy is the word along the Northwest Coast. The maritime climate means mild temperatures, frequently overcast days, and lots of precipitation. The Olympic Mountains catch much of the ecoregion’s rainfall.
What are characteristics of the Northwest Indian cultures?
Why do natives stay on reservations?
The reasons many American Indians move from reservations or other tribal lands to towns and cities have remained consistent over time. Some people move seeking education and employment opportunities beyond what’s available on a reservation or to access more comprehensive health care or other needed services.
What is a Northwest Coast Native American?
Northwest Coast Indian. Northwest Coast Indian, member of any of the Native American peoples inhabiting a narrow belt of Pacific coastland and offshore islands from the southern border of Alaska to northwestern California. The Northwest Coast was the most sharply delimited culture area of native North America.
What does Northwest Coast mean in anthropology?
The term Northwest Coast or North West Coast is used in anthropology to refer to the groups of Indigenous people residing along the coast of British Columbia, Washington state, parts of Alaska, Oregon, and northern California. The term Pacific Northwest is largely used in the American context.
What are the physical features of the northwest coast?
Geographically, the region features extremes in topography, from wide beaches to deep fjords and snow-capped mountains. The Northwest Coast cultural area, one of six contained in what is now Canada, is home to many Indigenous peoples, such as the Nuu-chah-nulth, Kwakwaka’wakw, Haida, Coast Salish and Haisla.
What is the culture of the Pacific Northwest Coast?
The indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast are composed of many nations and tribal affiliations, each with distinctive cultural and political identities, but they share certain beliefs, traditions and practices, such as the centrality of salmon as a resource and spiritual symbol.