SS9 – Crossroads
- Nations5 – Peoples of the Northwest Coast
The Peoples of the Northwest Coast
The coast of B.C. has been inhabited for over 10,00 years and the lower mainland supported some of the largest native populations in the country.
Northwest Coast nations like the Haida and the coastal Salish developed very intricate art and dances.
The NW Coast was rich in food supply and clan leaders often “shared the wealth” during elaborate Potlatch ceremonies.
Animals played an important part of the NW Coastal peoples spirituality and often families would claim descent from a mythical ancestor that was associated with an animal.
The NW Coastal peoples wintered in large cedar long houses but moved around during the rest of the year.
Co-operation and intermarriage amongst different coastal nations was not uncommon and this type of bilateral kinship allowed families from different nations or tribes an opportunity to share in the resources of one another.
SS9 – Crossroads
-Nations5 – The Peoples of the Northwest Coast
The Peoples of the Northwest Coast
Directions: Read pages 205-209 in your text Crossroads – A Meeting of Nations.
1. On a separate piece of paper, provide definitions for the following terms;
rankPotlatchCeremoniallyConcentration
Bilateral Kinship
2. On a separate piece of paper, answer the following questions using COMPLETE
SENTENCES;
a) How were some of the peoples of the Northwest Coast similar to the Europeans of the Middle Ages? *hint – Who owned the wealth and who did most of the work? (2 mks for quality of thought)
b) In your own words, describe the importance of either the Totem Pole or the ritual dances of the Northwest Coastal peoples. (2 mks for quality of description and details)
c) Describe how the peoples of the Northwest coast made use of the cedar tree. (2 mks for details and quality of response)
d) In your own words, describe how the peoples of the Northwest coast lived from season to season. (2 mks for quality of description and inclusion of details)
3. Examine the intricate designs and colors of the Bella Coola paddles found on page 206 of your text Crossroads – A Meeting of Nations, and using the paddle shape found opposite, create your own Northwest Coastal design.
You will be marked out of 5 for quality of effort put into your design.