Unit 2 The First People in Washington WA State History
Unit 2: The First People in Washington Section 1: Origins and Names Section 2: Coastal Cultures Section 3: Plateau Cultures
What things are part of a culture? Knowledge Values Beliefs Traditions
How do most anthropologists believe people first came to North America? Migrated from Asia during the last Ice Age
Mention at least two other possible origins for the first Americans. Lost tribe of Israel People who crossed from Asia, Europe, or Middle East
What does an archaeologist study? Human cultures of the past Examine things they have left behind
According to archaeologists, people have been living in Washington for at least how long? 10,000 years
Why is the term “Native American” more accurate than “Indian”? Reminds us that these people were the original people of America Indian technically means “from India”
What two main groupings are often used to describe Native American cultures in Washington? Coastal Indians Plateau Indians
What was the special skill of the Chinook tribe? Trading
What contact did Washington tribes have with the tribes to the north and east? Met to fish, visit, trade, share food and entertainment
What buildings made up a coastal village? Longhouses that faced the sea Moveable walls to separate families Wooden platforms built into walls like bunks
What tree provided material for houses, mats, and floor coverings? Cedar
Describe the importance of salmon to the Coastal people. Number one food supply Believed they were immortal and reincarnated Held ceremonies to thank salmon for sacrificing themselves
What was the Coastal people’s attitude toward natural resources? Respect and appreciation Believed everything had a spirit
What other food besides salmon did the Coastal people eat? Seafood Halibut, cod, herring, smelt, clams, oysters Seals, otter, whales Edible plants Roots and berries Camas rood
Why did they travel each year to traditional gathering grounds? To collect plants and hunt and fish
What was the Coastal people’s main form of transportation? Canoes
How was a person’s rank determined in tribal villages of the coast? Wealth and status Wealth came from possessions and family history Lowest rank was slave
Which things might a wealthy Coastal person inherit? Possessions Family histories The right to perform songs, dances, or ceremonies
What were some of the purposes of the potlatch? Given on special occasions Marriage Receiving inheritance Given to confirm certain events Giving names to children Increasing one’s status Announcing one’s social standing
According to the Coastal people, what things had spirits? All living and non-living things
What was the shaman’s role in Coastal life? Healers Spiritual leaders
What were the functions of oral legends in Coastal life? Shared culture through spoken legends Respected and sacred form of history and entertainment
What do the figures on the northern tribes’ totem poles represent? The history of the family who owned the totem pole
Name some art objects that the Coastal people are famous for. Woodcarvings Baskets Totem poles Rain hats Blankets
Where did the Plateau Indians live? East of the Cascades
How did geography influence food-gathering on the Plateau? Not so richly supplied with food Had to travel to get food
How are hunting and gathering related to a sense of loyalty to the tribe? Living and working together
Name some ways that horses changed the lives of the Plateau Indians. They could travel faster and over greater distances They could visit and communicate more often There was greater unity They could carry heavy loads Hunting was easier and faster
How did the cold winter climate influence Plateau houses and clothing? Pit houses with mat roof Tepees Leather clothing Robes of animal skins Snowshoes
How were tribal decisions made in a Plateau village? Tribal Council (chiefs and leaders) There was no “one voice” for the tribe
How were leaders chosen among Plateau people? Skills Not heritage, wealth, and status
How were the religious beliefs of Plateau and Coastal cultures similar? Spirits in all things Spirit quests Ceremonies to honor salmon, hunting, and gathering
How were oral legends important in Plateau cultures? They shared their beliefs and values Preserved their culture