Northwest Culture

The Northwest Indian Culture lived in what are today the states of Washington, Oregon, and California. Many small tribes such as the the Makah, the Chinook, and the Tillamook lived in this culture area.

The Northwest Culture needed the forests to make their shelters. They lived in large, wooden homes. They built the homes for more than one family. Large trees were used to make the frame of the house. The frame was then covered with wooden planks. There were no windows, but there was a hole in the roof that let in air.

Outside of each home was a totem pole. A totem pole was carved from a cedar log. It was painted and decorated. The totem pole of a family might have animals, birds, and religious spirits carved on them. The totem pole told a story of the family.

Fishing was very important to this culture. The most important time of the year was the spring. This is when the "salmon run" began. As the salmon left the ocean and began their swim up stream, men and women from all over the area gathered along the river to trap the salmon. The oil from the salmon was very important. This oil was used for cooking, seasoning, and medicine.

The women of the Northwest culture spent much time weaving baskets, mats, hats, and capes out of dried grass and the bark of cedar trees. The hats and capes were worn outdoors on rainy days.

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