P. 2-3
How were the people of the Northwest Coast different from other native peoples of the Americas?
They had plenty of food and it allowed them to have a complex society without practicing agriculture.
What did the Northwest Coast people use to build their house?
Cedar planks
How did the rulers of the Northwest Coast peoples keep villages running well?
By urging cooperation among all ranks of people.
From which animal would a Salish women use fur to make wool?
Dogs
Identify what the Northwest Coast peoples believed about different groups.
Word bank: shaman, tricksters, babies
1. _____ They had good and bad qualities
2. _____ Their souls came from a special place.
3. _____ They were more aware of the spirits than others.
1. tricksters
2. babies
3. shaman
How were the Northwest Coast groups different from one another?
They spoke different languages and they had different ways of life.
What was the importance of the rivers to the way of life of the Northwest Coast people?
Rivers provided food in the form of fish and transportation inland during the summer months. Native groups also used rivers for trade.
Describe what the inside of a plank house might look and smell like. Be descriptive.
It is large and dark inside. There are screens to separate sections of the house. In the middle, there is a raised platform. There are storage boxes or baskets. Many families live in one longhouse/plankhouse. The plank house smells like fish because of the oil that is used for candlelight and the fish drying in the rafters.
What is a potlatch?
A potlatch is a ceremonial feast, a way to show wealth, and a time to give gifts to those that attend.
Why did the Northwest Coast peoples hold a First Salmon Right before the salmon season?
To show respect and honor and to give thanks so that the salmon would return the next year.
Why did the people of the Northwest Coast not farm or grow crops?
They got all the food they needed from the forests, sea, and rivers.
During the summer months, the villages moved inland. What would be the purpose of doing this?
To gather food and make preparations for the winter months.
Which of the following statements about potlatches are true? Choose all that apply.
a. They were held only at weddings.
b. Masks were a part of the potlatch ceremony.
c. They were used to make peace between groups.
d. A person might have to save for years to hold one.
e. The people holding them gave gifts to those who attended.
What is a spirit quest?
It helped to guide young teenagers to their role in life. It was a vision that came through dreams and trances. A journey that required a boy to leave his village.
How were clan members related to each other?
They shared a "spirit ancestor" which is how the clan got its name.
How did trade with the Europeans cause problems for the Northwest Coast peoples?
Trading with Europeans led to the death of many people of the Northwest Coast who were exposed to diseases that their bodies could not fight off. Also, the fur trade. Many of the animals they relied on for their food were no longer available which made them rely on Europeans for food.
Why were Native Americans forced to buy food from trading posts set up by Europeans?
The fur trade affected their ability to hunt/gather food.