The Coastal Indians

Where Do They Live? They settled along the west coats between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains. They were the last people to settle in the Americas from Asia. These tribes mostly lived off of the sea. They had to bear lots of rain and harsh cold winters. They can be split into three groups Californians Oregon and Washington Alaska

The Alaskan, Oregon, Washington and Californian tribes were along the Pacific Coast

Everyday Life Men They were not land hunters, but sea hunters. They hunted some inland game like caribou, but would not eat bears, coyotes, foxes and frogs. They would not go out to kill a whale, but if one died and washed ashore they would rejoice and eat the meat and collect the oil from it’s fat Hunted seals, sea lions, sea otters, salmon, perch, bass and other fishes for food. All of the men were wonderful carvers of woods and ivory. Were judged by their hunting skills and how they shared their wealth.

Everyday Life Women The main plant was the acorn. They would grind it into flour. One tree can give 140 pounds of acorns! Women were also in charge of drying meats for winter. Some tribes would die of starvation if they didn’t have a good winter storage. Were judged by their sewing, cooking and ability to produce children. Women were often sold as slaves to other tribes if they didn’t prove their worth.

Everyday Life Kids Babies were rejoiced and had ceremonies welcoming them. For the first few years of a child life they were swaddled for most of the day, never moving. It was thought “attractive” to have a flat forehead, so parents would tie a board to their foreheads for the first year of their lives. Children played tag, hide and seek and hoop and spear. They were taught that winning wasn’t important, since everything had it’s place in life.

What Do They Live In? They mostly lived in plank houses. They are square family houses that have a sunken 5 foot square in the middle for the fire. Used the huge redwood and cedar trees as posts and beams for the house. These became totem poles. They used no nails or rope, but the logs fit together like a tight puzzle.

But What About…??? Sorry….but the Eskimos did not live in igloos. They would build igloos only as temporary protection from storms when they were out hunting.

What About Travel? Everyone made and used boats with paddles. These boats were made from fallen cedar or redwood trees. They were also the first to make kayaks. Since they were inside the kayak it was a waterproof way to travel. The Coastal Indians were a trading community. They would travel the ancient paths to the Bering Strait. This is why the Coastal Indians have some Asian influences in their crafts.

Coastal Fashion They wore cloaks or robes made from cedar bark, otter fur or dog fur. Often went barefoot since moccasins would get too wet with the damp weather. They used cedar bark and cattails as rain jackets and hats. Tattoos were very common. They would rub soot or grasses into the tattoo to make colors. Men and women would insert labrets into their chins as a type of piercing, sometimes reaching 3 inches long Winter coats and boots were made out of seal skins and caribou furs.

Potlatches They believed in the redistribution of wealth. Several families would gather together and share food, crafts and other material things. This was done mostly in winters, since there wasn’t much else to do. Potlatches were great festivals and were sometimes planned for an entire year When the white man came, they banned it since they thought it was uncivilized and useless.

Totem Poles Totem pole carvers were seen as the master carvers in the community. They had to go through an apprenticeship before doing any poles. It would take 100 men to carry and upright a totem pole There would be ceremonies and dances to inspire the carver before starting, and once again when he finished.

Sacajawea Was born and raised a Coastal Indian, until a Missouri tribe came and took her as a slave during an Indian war. When Lewis and Clark came to explore out west. They needed a guide to get over the Rocky Mountains. Sacajawea’s husband was hired as their guide, but she was the one who saved their lives by her knowledge of food and surviving the wilderness. She eventually returned home to the Coastal Indians.