Northwest Coast Indian Tribes
The Native Americans Known for Their Distinctive Totem Poles
Jan 9, 2009
Especially impressive was the distinctive art, including totem poles.
While there were a number of different bands in the region, among the largest were the following:
Haida, Tlingit, and Tsimshian
In Southeast Alaska (Alaska Panhandle) and the north portion of British Columbia the Haida, Tlingit and Tsimshian dominated. The Tlingit occupied an area of Alaska extending from Mt. St. Elias south through present-day Juneau and Sitka and surrounding coastal areas and panhandle islands.
The Haida were centered in the Queen Charlotte Islands of present-day Canada, while the Tsimshian made their homes along the mainland coast of northern British Columbia. Artists of these bands continue to produce exceptional artwork based on traditional designs.
Nuxalk (Bella Coola) and Kwakiutl
In the central area of the Northwest Coast lived the Nuxalk (also known as Bella Coola), and the Kwakiutl tribes. The Bella Coola River of British Columbia provided the heart of the Nuxalk homeland, while the Kwakiutl occupied the north half of Vancouver Island.
Nootka and Coast Salish
On the South portion of Vancouver Island were the Nootka (also known as Nuu-chah-nulth) and the Coast Salish, who also occupied portions of the mainland.
Makah, Quileute and Quinault
On the Olympic Peninsula in present-day Washington State were the Makah, the Quileute and Quinault tribes.
All of these tribes shared a similar culture.
Fishing Technology
Abundant salmon that migrated through coastal rivers provided a dependable food supply for the first Americans. To harvest the runs, tribes had developed dams, fish weirs, traps and nets, fish baskets, hooks and lines and other technologies. Halibut was harvested with specialty designed hooks and floats. Dugout canoes took them into the waters surrounding the many islands of the coastal region.
The efficiency in providing food allowed tribes time to develop their distinctive body of artwork.
Totem Poles
Totem poles, with their vivid colors, are the most recognizable of their arts. Every surface of the poles was carved into highly stylized representations of bears, wolves, eagles, ravens, thunderbirds, beavers and other animals, plus human figures. Totem poles could be huge, providing frontal pieces for homes, grave markers and other decorative purposes. Many represented family crests or told stories from family or tribal history.
In addition to the totem poles, tribal artists and craftsmen carved wood helmets, bowls, spoons, boxes and house panels; wove intricately patterned baskets, and made elaborate ceremonial clothing.
Potlatch
The potlatch was a tradition practiced by nearly all the Northwest Coast people. High ranging nobles would host the potlatch feast, often competing with one another to offer the best food and most generous gifts to other tribal members. Gifts were often the products of the tribe’s best craftsmen.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, anthropologists began buying artwork from the Coastal tribes to preserve it. Rich collections are now on display at museums around the country and the Northwest region, including Seattle's Burke Museum. There are also several Oregon Museums of Native Culture housing displays from Northwest coastal tribes.
Sources:
From the Land of the Totem Poles: The Northwest Coast Indian Art Collection at the American Museum of Natural History by Aldona Jonaitis, American Museum of Natural History, 1988.
Creation’s Journey: Native American Identity and Belief (Published in conjunction with the exhibit at the National Museum of the American Indian), Tom Hill and Richard W. Hill Sr., Editors, Smithsonian Institution, 1994.
 |
