Native Americans People of the Northwest Coast

Summary

The script explores the rich heritage of the indigenous peoples of the northwest coast of the United States and Canada. It delves into their harmonious existence with nature, their fishing and hunting practices, and the craftsmanship evident in their cedar canoes, totem poles, and wooden homes. The narrative also touches on the impact of European settlers on their traditional way of life, the challenges faced in modern times, and the ongoing efforts to preserve their culture and traditions.

Takeaways

• 🏞️ The northwest coast of the United States and Canada is a region of great natural beauty, characterized by a harmonious coexistence of ocean, forest, and rock.
• 🎵 The indigenous people of the northwest coast have an ancient song that represents their deep connection to the land they call home.
• 🛶 These coastal peoples, known by various names such as Nutka, Salish, and Quac quilen San, are renowned for their fishing skills and the construction of cedar canoes for ocean and river travel.
• 🏡 They built large wooden homes adorned with intricate carvings and paintings, reflecting their rich cultural heritage.
• 🎭 The people carved totem poles and wore clothing woven from natural materials like tree bark and animal hides, indicative of their resourcefulness and craftsmanship.
• 📚 Despite the absence of a written language, they maintained a rich oral tradition, passing down legends and stories through ceremonies and the use of wooden masks.
• 🗡 They crafted ingenious fishing hooks, spears, and harpoons from materials like bone, stone, and ivory, showcasing their ingenuity and adaptability.
• 🌳 The coastal people felt a deep spiritual connection to nature, believing in the spiritual life of all natural elements and their interconnectedness.
• 👥 The tribes of the northwest coast were part of larger classifications based on their environment, each with unique ways of life tailored to their specific surroundings.
• 💑 The social structure included clans, which were like extended families, with strict rules, including prohibitions on marrying within one's own clan.
• 🎓 In modern times, the traditional way of life for native peoples has been disrupted by the arrival of Europeans, leading to significant cultural and societal changes.

Q & A

What is the significance of the northwest coast of the United States and Canada in the context of the script?

The northwest coast is depicted as a region of great beauty where nature thrives, and it is home to indigenous peoples who have a deep connection with the land, the ocean, and the forests.

What are some of the names that the indigenous people of the northwest coast are known by?

The indigenous people of the northwest coast are known by various names such as Nutka, Salish, Quac quilen San, and many others, each with their distinct languages and cultures.

How did the people of the northwest coast traditionally build their homes?

They built impressive wooden homes from great cedar trees, decorating them with ornate carvings and paintings, which showcased their artistic skills and cultural heritage.

What role did fishing play in the lives of the northwest coast people?

Fishing was central to their lives as they were a great fishing people, utilizing the many rivers and streams, and building cedar canoes for ocean and river travel to seek fish.

How did the people of the northwest coast utilize the natural resources around them?

They used cedar trees for building homes and canoes, carved totem poles and tools from stone and bone, and wove clothing from tree bark and animal hides, showcasing their resourcefulness and adaptability.

What is the significance of the totem pole in the culture of the northwest coast people?

Totem poles are significant cultural symbols that represent animals and spirits, reflecting the spiritual beliefs and oral traditions of the people.

How did the arrival of Europeans impact the native peoples of the northwest coast?

The arrival of Europeans led to conflicts and the eventual conquest of all native peoples, forcing them to give up their traditional ways of life and live on reservations, leading to significant cultural and societal changes.

What are some of the challenges faced by modern-day indigenous people living on reservations?

Modern-day indigenous people on reservations face high unemployment rates, poverty, alcoholism, and the loss of many traditional practices and ceremonies.

How have some indigenous people managed to preserve their traditional crafts and contribute to their communities?

Some indigenous people have preserved their traditional crafts such as carving totem poles, making cedar bark baskets, and canoe making, which not only helps to keep their culture alive but also provides income and employment opportunities.

What is the importance of salmon in the traditional culture of the northwest coast people?

Salmon is a vital resource for the northwest coast people, not only as a food source but also as a spiritual symbol, with rituals and respect practices associated with its consumption and the returning of its bones to the water.

How do the indigenous people of the northwest coast view the natural world and its spiritual significance?

The indigenous people of the northwest coast view the natural world as deeply interconnected and spiritually alive, believing that everything has a spirit and that showing respect to nature leads to a good and healthy life.

Outlines

00:00

🌊 Coastal Harmony: The Northwest Coast People's Legacy

This paragraph introduces the northwest coast of the United States and Canada as a region of natural splendor where the indigenous people have lived in harmony with their environment for centuries. Known by various names such as Nutka, Salish, and Quac quilen San, these tribes share a rich fishing culture, utilizing the abundant rivers and streams. They built cedar canoes for travel and hunting, crafted impressive wooden homes adorned with carvings and totem poles, and despite the absence of a written language, they maintained a rich oral tradition passed down through generations. The paragraph also touches upon their spiritual connection to the natural world and the belief in the spiritual life of all things.

05:02

🏡 Life Among the Coast People: Traditions and Survival

The second paragraph delves into the daily life and societal structure of the coast people. It describes the coastal region's environment, the people's expertise in ocean fishing and sea mammal hunting, and their inland counterparts' reliance on forest animals and river fishing. The narrative introduces Dashut Tahi, a 15-winter-old from the Gsan tribe, who shares insights into the importance of bravery, clan systems, and the prohibition of marrying within one's own clan. The paragraph also covers the construction of their cedar houses, the significance of clan symbols, and the role of clans in communal living and resource management.

10:03

🌲 Sustenance and Craftsmanship: The Art of Living Off the Land

This paragraph focuses on the sustenance and craftsmanship of the coast people. It details the methods of hunting and gathering, including the use of snares for small animals and the gathering of fruits and berries by women. The importance of cedar trees for building materials, tools, and clothing is highlighted, along with the process of bark stripping and the creation of woven baskets and other items. The paragraph also discusses the role of carvers in creating masks for ceremonies and the significance of fishing rights within clan territories.

15:08

🍲 Culinary Traditions and Spiritual Beliefs of the Coast People

The fourth paragraph explores the culinary practices and spiritual beliefs of the coast people. It describes various methods of cooking salmon, the annual ritual of returning salmon bones to the water as a sign of respect, and the belief in the spiritual life of nature. The narrative also touches upon the role of shamans or medicine men in dealing with illness and evil spirits, and the importance of traditional games and activities in the community's social fabric.

20:08

🔨 The Impact of European Colonization on Native American Life

This paragraph discusses the devastating impact of European colonization on the native peoples of the northwest coast. It recounts the forced relocation to reservations, the loss of traditional ways of life, and the introduction of government rations that led to widespread poverty and starvation. The paragraph also highlights the forced assimilation of Indian children in boarding schools and the government's later encouragement for relocation to cities, resulting in a significant cultural shift and the loss of many traditional practices.

25:12

🏘️ Modern Challenges and Cultural Preservation of Native Americans

The final paragraph addresses the contemporary challenges faced by Native Americans and their efforts to preserve their cultural heritage. It outlines the improved living conditions on reservations, the adoption of modern lifestyles, and the persistence of high unemployment and poverty. The paragraph also discusses the economic initiatives of some tribes, such as the establishment of gambling casinos, and the continuation of traditional crafts like canoe making, totem pole carving, and cedar bark peeling, which contribute to the cultural and economic vitality of native communities.

🎨 Enduring Art and Traditions of the Northwest Coast People

The concluding paragraph celebrates the enduring art and traditions of the northwest coast people. It describes the ongoing practice of carving totem poles and the craftsmanship involved in creating these cultural symbols. The paragraph reflects on the legacy of cedar canoes and the great cedar houses, acknowledging that while these physical manifestations may be less common, the spirit and many traditions of the northwest coast people continue to thrive.

Keywords

💡Northwest Coast

The term 'Northwest Coast' refers to the coastal regions of the United States and Canada, particularly the Pacific Northwest. It is characterized by dense forests, rugged coastlines, and a mild climate. In the video, this region is depicted as the ancestral home of various indigenous peoples who have a deep connection with the land and its natural resources, exemplified by their fishing practices and cedar tree usage.

💡Indigenous People

Indigenous people are the original inhabitants of a particular region, often with a distinct culture, language, and traditions. The video describes the indigenous peoples of the Northwest Coast, such as the Nutka, Salish, and Quac quilen San, who share a common background as great fishing people and have a rich oral tradition.

💡Cedar Canoes

Cedar canoes are traditional boats made from the wood of cedar trees, which are abundant in the Northwest Coast. The video mentions that these canoes were used for traveling the ocean and rivers in search of fish, highlighting the importance of cedar trees in the construction of essential tools for the indigenous people's livelihood.

💡Totem Poles

Totem poles are large carved wooden posts that are a significant part of the indigenous cultures of the Northwest Coast. They often represent animals and spirits and are used to tell stories and convey family histories. The script describes totem poles as symbols that the people carved, reflecting their spiritual beliefs and artistic traditions.

💡Oral Traditions

Oral traditions refer to the passing down of knowledge, history, and stories through spoken word rather than written records. The video emphasizes that despite the lack of a written language, the indigenous people of the Northwest Coast had rich oral traditions, which were an integral part of their culture and identity.

💡Clan System

The clan system is a social structure based on family lineage and shared ancestry. In the video, the clan system is depicted as a crucial aspect of the indigenous society, where clans share houses, have specific territories for hunting and gathering, and are associated with certain privileges and responsibilities.

💡Bravery

Bravery, as portrayed in the video, is a highly valued trait among the indigenous people, particularly in acts of courage that protect others. The story of Danok saving the chief's grandson exemplifies bravery and its importance in gaining respect and approval within the community.

💡European Colonization

European colonization refers to the period when European powers took control of territories and resources in other parts of the world. The video discusses the impact of European settlers on the indigenous people of the Northwest Coast, leading to the loss of their lands, forced assimilation, and significant changes to their traditional way of life.

💡Reservations

Reservations are designated areas of land where indigenous peoples are required to live, often as a result of colonization and displacement. The script describes how indigenous people were forced to live on reservations, leading to poverty, loss of traditional practices, and a struggle to maintain their cultural identity.

💡Cultural Preservation

Cultural preservation involves maintaining and promoting the customs, beliefs, and practices of a culture. The video highlights the efforts of the indigenous people to preserve their traditions, such as carving totem poles, making cedar baskets, and practicing traditional fishing techniques, despite the challenges posed by modernization and colonization.

💡Modernization

Modernization refers to the process of becoming modern, often associated with industrialization, urbanization, and the adoption of contemporary lifestyles. The script contrasts the traditional ways of the indigenous people with the changes brought by modernization, such as living in modern dwellings, driving cars, and participating in the wider economy, while still striving to maintain their cultural heritage.

Highlights

The northwest coast of the United States and Canada is a region of great natural beauty, where the ocean, forest, and rock coexist harmoniously.

The indigenous people of the northwest coast, known by various names such as Nutka, Salish, and Quac quilen San, share a common background as great fishing people.

These people built impressive wooden homes and carved totem poles, representing animals and spirits, from the cedar trees that grow abundantly in the region.

They had rich oral traditions and passed down their legends through ceremonies, using ornately carved wooden masks and figures.

The coastal people were skilled at crafting fishing hooks, spears, and harpoons from materials such as bone, stone, and sometimes ivory.

They were among the first Native Americans to use iron in their tools, possibly sourced from Siberia, but continued to use stone for some tools.

The people felt a deep spiritual connection to the natural world, believing that everything had a spiritual life and was interconnected.

Anthropologists suggest that the first people arrived in North America around 30,000 years ago via a land bridge connecting Asia during a period of lowered sea levels.

The northwest coast is characterized by dense forests, rugged coastlines, and a mild climate with abundant rain, making it ideal for ocean fishing and hunting.

The coastal people's way of life was significantly impacted by the arrival of Europeans, leading to the loss of their traditional hunting and fishing practices.

Native Americans were forced onto reservations, leading to a decline in their traditional lifestyle and the adoption of government-provided food and clothing.

Many Indian children were sent to boarding schools where they were forced to abandon their cultural practices and assimilate into Western society.

In the 1950s, the U.S. government encouraged Native Americans to relocate to cities for job opportunities, but many chose to remain on reservations.

Today, Native Americans on reservations face high unemployment rates and poverty, with some tribes opening casinos to create jobs and income.

Some Native people in the northwest coast work in the lumber industry, with a few mills being native-owned, benefiting the local community.

Traditional practices like bark peeling and carving continue to provide modest incomes for some, with cedar bark used to make baskets and other items.

The Haida tribe is renowned for its carvings in argillite, a black stone, with skilled carvers earning significant income from their art.

Totem pole carving remains an important tradition, with modern carvers using the same techniques as their ancestors to create these cultural symbols.

Despite the changes brought by modernity, the spirit and many traditions of the northwest coast people continue to live on.

Transcripts

along the northwest coast of the United

States and into Canada is a land of

great Beauty where ocean forest and rock

live together in harmony remote and

isolated all that is usually heard are

the sounds of the natural world the

waves wind

seabirds but if you listen carefully you

can sometimes hear a song an ancient

song of the people who call this land

their home the people of the northwest

[Music]

coast the people of the northwest coast

have many names

nutka

Salish

quac quilen San and and many

others each have different names each

speak different languages but they all

share a common

background they were and still are a

great fishing people fishing the many

rivers and streams that cut through this

land they built great Cedar canoes and

traveled the ocean and rivers in search

of

gain they hunted sea mammals even whales

from the great cedar trees that grow

here they built impressive wooden homes

decorating them with ornate carvings and

paintings they carved totem poles the

symbols represent animals and

[Music]

Spirits they wore clothing woven from

the bark of trees as well as animal

hives while the people didn't have a a

written language they did have Rich oral

traditions and pass down their Legends

during

ceremonies they carved wooden masks

which often represented supernatural

beings important to the history of the

[Music]

people ornately carved Figures were

common in many wooden items

this is a

bow they also carved

Stone this is a small

chest a

bowl from cedar bark they wo beautiful

[Music]

baskets they designed ingenious fishing

hooks these have wooden Shank and the

Barb is carved from

bone spear and Harpoon points were

carved from Stone bone and sometimes

[Music]

Ivory a variety of tools were used to

work the cedar forests the coast people

were among the first Native Americans to

use iron in their tools the source of

the metal may have been Siberia reaching

the northwest coast through trade

but even after they obtained metal they

continued to use stone for some

tools the people felt closely related to

all things in the natural world they

felt that everything in the natural

world had a spiritual life and that

everything was connected to everything

else in a spiritual

way who are the coast people how did

they get here where did they come

from while all tribes have their own

origin stories most anthropologists

accept the

following about 30,000 years ago North

America looked much as it does today a

narrow stretch of ocean separated Asia

from this continent there were no people

living

here then ice began to advance across

the northern hemisphere

as it did sea levels dropped exposing a

land bridge connecting Asia with North

America large game animals like bison

and Mammoth crossed this land bridge

entering the new continent soon followed

by Asian

Hunters there were probably several

migrations over thousands of years and

eventually the people spread throughout

North and Sou South America as the ice

retreated and the land bridge became

covered by water

[Music]

again there were hundreds of tribes that

each can be classified into one of

several groups according to the natural

environment in which they

lived the names of these groups

are the Eastern

Woodlands the

plains the

Southwest the Great

Basin the

plateau

California and the northwest coast each

of these groups lived in an environment

that was unlike the others none of the

others lived in an environment quite

like this one the northwest coast the

land of the coast people

[Music]

this region consists of dense forests

and rugged coastlines the climate is

mild a lot of rain and little snow the

people who inhabited the coastline

became expert at ocean fishing and the

hunting of seam mans while those who

lived inland hunted forest animals and

fished the fjords and

rivers what would it have been like to

have lived back then to have lived like

the coast people hundreds of years

ago this is the dance of the bear but it

is more than a dance for it tells a

story a story about our courageous

ancestors the most important part of the

dance is when the bear threatens our

chief the chief must ignore the threats

proving to everyone that he is very

brave

bravery is important to our

people funny it was never that important

to me until

recently my name is dashut tahi it means

golden

Sparrow I have lived for 15 Winters here

with my people the gsan In The House of

the Frog Clan so why is bravery

important to me now to explain that I

have to tell you a little about our

people we live in a small village along

the shun River in five Cedar

houses this is our food storage house

it's built on stilts to help keep it dry

during heavy rains and

snow and this is our Smoke House where

we smoke fish to preserve them during

the long

Winters in front of each house is a pole

with many carved figures

one of the figures is very special like

this one the wolf this tells everyone

that this house belongs to the wolf

Clan my clan is the Frog and that's why

there's a frog carved in the top beam of

our

house Clans share the same houses

together there might be as many as four

to five families living in a single

house so it's a good thing our houses

are so big

[Applause]

and even here we've carved special

figures important to our clan and its

history our houses are made from cedar

logs and planks we cut from our

forests and there's an opening at the

top to let out

smoke we sleep along the outside edges

of the house that's my mother tucking in

my two younger

brothers

our blankets are bare skins and they are

very soft and

warm on one wall in our house is our

clan symbol the

Frog so what does all this have to do

with bravery you see Clans are very

important to our people they are like

big families and it is forbidden to

marry someone from your own Clan I

wanted to marry a boy from the wolf Clan

his name is danok and he's kind and

caring but my parents wanted me to marry

danow walk's older brother Joo Joo was

the oldest eligible boy in another clan

so that's who my parents insisted I

marry this is the way of Clans and

parents arrange all marriages and

everyone has to obey Clan

rules when you belong to a clan you get

special privileges like being able to

hunt in Clan territory my father is a

very good Hunter and he and my brother

Hunt for deer and elk in our

forests they also set traps and snares

this is a snare a string is tied to a

bent tree at the other end of the string

is a loop when a small animal runs

through the loop it triggers the

[Music]

snare this is just a stick but it could

have easily been a rabbit or

squirrel women do gathering in areas set

aside for their Clan We Gather fruit and

berries and other things that grow in

our forest wild strawberries are my

little sister's

favorite Clans also kept trees in their

own

areas cedar trees are the ones we use to

make our houses coals and canoes

the men use adses to start the

cut the blade of the ads my father is

using is made of iron which we get by

trading with people far to the

North iron blades work better than the

stone blades we used to use but tree

falling is still hard

work and that's why the men will set a

fire in the place cut out for

it the fire will eventually burn its way

through the

[Music]

cedar next the men use pounding stones

and wedges to split the tree into planks

you can hear the tree

splitting

Cedar splits easily when wedged

properly the men may get 50 planks out

of a small tree like this

one we use cedar to make lots of things

sometimes we strip the bark from the

cedar this is done by first making

incisions in the bark using a small

ads

the bark is then PRI away from the

cedar finally it is

stripped a good bark stripper like my

father can strip the bark a long way

up when done properly stripping does not

harm the

cedar the brown outer bark is then

Stripped Away as only the inner bark can

be

used later the bark strips are soaked in

hot water to make them soft and

pliable the strips are laid out and then

woven together one strip going under

every other strip this is the start of a

[Music]

basket

and this is what the basket looks like

when it's nearly complete the strips are

folded back and then tied off with

string made from

root my little sister watches every step

for soon she will have to know how to

make baskets

[Music]

herself bark can also be braided and

made in into rope belts headbands and

even

[Music]

clothing several men in our clan are

excellent

Carvers they carve many things but some

of the most important things they carve

are masks The Masks represent

supernatural beings and animals

important to our clan they're never used

for play but for special

ceremonies this mask is the wolf

I mentioned how Clans have special

privileges another one is the right to

fish in certain areas one way we fish is

with

Spears the points are first sharpened

with a

stone one man will beat the water with a

stick driving a salmon toward the

spear then it's up to the spear to have

an accurate aim and not let the salmon

off the

spear

using this technique two men should be

able to spear enough salmon in one

afternoon to feed the entire

Village there are a number of ways to

cook salmon one way is by bracing it

with sticks and then roasting it over a

fire just far enough away to keep the

sticks from burning

this gives the salmon a smoky

flavor another way to cook salmon is by

boiling a hot rock is placed in a box

filled with water this causes the water

to boil next my mother adds green plants

like wild

onions and then sections of salmon for

salmon stew salmon stew is not my

favorite every year the Bones from the

first salmon cot must be returned to the

water water from which they

came we believe that salmon offered

themselves to our people so that we may

eat them for this we must show them

great

respect by returning their bones to the

water the salmon will be able to

resurrect themselves and return to our

people the following

year our people show respect for

everything in the natural world for we

believe everything in nature has a

spirit life as as long as we show proper

respect we will lead good and healthy

lives and never do

without but there are evil spirits in

the world and when things go wrong like

sickness it is sometimes because of the

evil

spirits shamans or medicine men have

been specially trained to deal with

illness many times they use herbs and

medicines to cure the sick

but sometimes it is necessary for the

shaman to call upon Spirit helpers and

perform special acts to cleanse and

purify the bodies of those who are

[Music]

contaminated the shaman works very hard

sometimes for days before he is

successful

I don't want you to think we never have

time for games because we do one of my

favorite games is foot

[Music]

[Applause]

racing another game we play is tug of

[Music]

war boys games are a little rougher like

[Music]

wrestling and stick f fighting teaches

boys to become good

Warriors there was no question Jago

would become a good warrior and that's

who I would have had to have married if

danok hadn't proved

himself here's what

happened our chief had brought his

grandson to the forest to show him how

Cedars were

cut danok was the fire tender that

day the chief wanted to give

instructions to the men and left the boy

alone suddenly the cedar began to

fall danok was the first to see it it's

[Music]

yakin Dan walked do and pushed the boy

away just as the tree hit the

ground the boy was shaken up but he'd be

all

right needless to say the chief was very

thankful his grandson was saved so

thankful in fact he talked to my parents

telling them How brave danok had been

that day my parents were so impressed

they finally agreed to let me marry

danok instead of

Joo golden sparrow and danok would

eventually marry but their family would

be the last to live entirely in the old

ways a new people the Europeans had

entered the continent in just a matter

of years the way of life of native

peoples would be forever changed wanting

the land occupied by Indians the

newcomers engaged in a series of

conflicts that would eventually result

in the complete conquest of all native

peoples Indians everywhere were forced

to give up their way of life and to live

on small reservations and reserves areas

of land set aside for

Indians no longer able to hunt and fish

in the old ways the Indians were

rationed food and clothing by the

government

some agents who were supposed to help

the Indians were dishonest they stole

money and supplies so the Indians never

got all that they were entitled

to as a result the Indians lived in

total poverty and many

starved tribes were forced to give up

many of their traditions and could no

longer perform many of their religious

rights and

ceremonies many Indian children were

separated from their families and were

sent to strict boarding schools where

they were forced to give up their Indian

ways in the 1950s the United States

government encouraged Native Americans

to relocate to the nation's cities where

they could find jobs and live in modern

ways but not all Indians chose to do

this today in Indians can live anywhere

they want and many choose to live off

reservations in cities and towns

employed in the same sorts of jobs as

other

Americans but more than half a million

Indians prefer to remain on reservations

throughout the United

States life here is much better than it

used to be and in some ways as similar

to life anywhere

else Indians Drive cars and live in

modern dwellings like other

Americans they shop in stores and wear

modern

clothing many attend Christian

churches Indian children go to schools

that look like schools anywhere and

study the same kinds of

subjects they enjoy the same sorts of

things as other

children while reservation life is a lot

like life anywhere else there are some

big

differences unemployment is very high on

some reservations four out of five

people are out of

work and because of it alcoholism and

poverty are

widespread many tribes have opened

gambling casinos in order to create jobs

and bring in additional income but only

a few tribes those near major cities

have actually profited from

casinos

along the northwest coast some Indians

are fortunate to have jobs in the lumber

industry this Mill in British Columbia

not only employs a lot of native people

it is one of the few Mills that is

native

owned that means that most of the money

the plant makes stays in the native

Community where it is sorely

needed others find employment in the

fishing

industry this work pays a lot but it's

dangerous and only lasts for a few weeks

in the summer when the Ocean salmon

returned to their spawning

grounds some of the fish end up in

Native owned canaries and smoke houses

like this one in British

Columbia this is a small operation but

it provides important jobs for people

who wouldn't have jobs

otherwise some native people earn modest

incomes in more traditional

ways bark peeling has been a tradition

along the northwest coast for thousands

of years and it is still being done

today bark peelers use Simple techniques

that are similar to those used in the

past cedar bark can be used to make many

things like this basket which will fetch

a good price from a

tourist the Haida tribe is famous for

its carvings in arite Black Stone that

is relatively easy to

cut heida Carvers can earn thousands of

dollars for a beautifully carved

piece this sculpture is that of a raven

an important character in northwest

coast Legends and a popular subject of

Carvers other tribes are famous for

their carvings in

wood this this is a Shaman's rattle a

type of rattle shamans used to use

during

ceremonies today these rattles are

favorites among tourists and collectors

and command high

prices this carving is an eagle another

popular subject for Carvers and

collectors canoes have been an important

part of northwest coast life for

thousands of years they were used for

transportation fishing trading and

War today the canoes are mostly gone but

a few native Craftsmen are still trying

to keep the ancient art of canoe making

alive using the simple tools of their

ancestors these Craftsmen are carving a

52t long canoe out of a red seed or log

a canoe like this can take more than a

year to make and when it's done it will

be used in special events in s

ceremonies the people of the northwest

coast have always been identified with

the carving of totem poles and they are

still being carved today totem poles are

carved from a solid red cedar log using

simple tools that are very similar to

those that have been used for

centuries a pole this size can take a

team of Carvers months to carve and when

it's done it will take its place next to

holes like these that are found in small

native Villages throughout the northwest

coast while Cedar canoes seldom paddle

these Waters and you no longer find the

great Cedar houses the people their

spirit and many of their Traditions live

on

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