The First Nations of Canada Lesson 1 - The Northwest Coast

----------------------------------------------------

The Northwest Coast Vancouver, British Columbia is one of Canada’s largest cities today. Located on the coast of B.C., Vancouver is known for beautiful landscapes and the diverse culture of the people who live there. Long ago there was an exceptionally diverse First Nation culture that thrived on B.C.’s coast. The people of the Northwest Coast were the original settlers who made the coast of British Columbia their home.

Arrival to the Coast Historians don’t know for sure how the Northwest Coast people got there, but they have some ideas. One possibility is that hunter-gatherer nomads (who left Siberia over the Bering land bridge) were able to cross the Rockies and settle on the coast. Another theory is that Siberian nomads or Pan Pacific people came to the coast in enormous ocean-sailing canoes.

Whatever the case, the land was perfect for humans to settle on and the Rocky Mountains discouraged other native groups in North America from exploring.

A Variety of Native Cultures Over the course of a few thousand years, a rich variety of First Nation groups emerged. Some historians believe that at one point in time the Northwest Coast was the most densely populated region with the widest variety of culture on planet Earth! These cultures can be broadly lumped into five unique groups: Haida, Tlingit, Tsimishian, Nuu-chah-nulth (Nootka), and Salishan. Within these five main groups were many sub-groups.

The First Nations of Canada // Lesson 1 // The Northwest Coast pg.1

Language At least nineteen languages were spoken by the various First People groups of the Northwest Coast. When related languages are taken into account, five unique core languages were spoken with no relationship to one another! Living Accommodations The people of the Northwest Coast are one of the few native groups known to practice land ownership. Typically they lived in longhouses that were home to extended families. Many longhouses made up a village. Men would seasonally go on hunting trips and use temporary shelters, but they would always return home.

Food Most native groups were nomadic and they seldom settled in one place. One of the reasons Northwest Coast tribes were able to have permanent homes is because their food was readily available. Most villages were located by the ocean where fish were abundant. Salmon fish were a staple of their diet and were held in high regard. Water creatures such as seals and whales were hunted as well.

Men would also hunt dear, goat, bear, and other large animals. So much food was available that agriculture such as farming was never seriously attempted.

Social Structure Families lived together. The oldest and wealthiest member of the family became the Chief. The Chief was the person who made important decisions and ensured every person in the family was cared for. The closest family members to the Chief received more than those of further relation or status. Often families also had slaves who were won through warfare with other tribes. Slavery was unique to this region of First Nation People in Canada.

In a village many families might live together. Families belonged to different “clans” within their village. The Chief of the most powerful family became the Village Chief.

The First Nations of Canada // Lesson 1 // The Northwest Coast pg.2

Men did work such as hunting, as well as building houses, canoes, and other items. Women helped maintain the home, picked berries, prepared food, and cared for children. Religion Northwest Coast people practiced a religion that believed in spirits. Shamans were men and women who were a connection between the earthly realm and the spirit realm. Shamans also practiced medicine and their cures often involved a spiritual element.

Art and Culture Northwest People groups celebrated significant events by hosting huge potlaches. A potlatch was a festival for celebrating a significant event and a chief and his family usually hosted it. The family would display their wealth by giving lavish gifts to their guests.

Native groups of the Northwest Coast were known for their woodworking ability. They dug out lavish canoes, weaved cedar bark baskets, and built large religious and family crests called totem poles. Every longhouse had a totem pole that told the village what clan a family belonged to. The village chief would have his clan’s crest carved onto village totem poles, also.

Post-European Contact European contact was not good for the Northwest Coast people. Europeans exposed Natives to diseases such as small pox. By the time early explorers began to arrive in the late 1700’s some villages had already been wiped out by European diseases that were most likely spread through trade from the interior. Despite a massive loss of life, many First Nation groups have survived to today on the Northwest Coast and are now a growing population!

The First Nations of Canada // Lesson 1 // The Northwest Coast pg.3

Think It Through A. Which theory do you think best explains how the Northwest Coast people first arrived? Give THREE reasons for your answer. B. Colour and label the Northwest Coast region on your First Nations of Canada map. C. In today’s society, many people own land. Before Europeans arrived in North America, most First Nations did not own land. The Northwest Coast Natives were an exception. Do you think “land ownership” is a good thing or a bad thing? Give TWO reasons for your answer. D. What type of pressure would a Chief have? What type of pressure would a non-Chief family member have? Would you rather be the Chief who gets to make the decisions or a person who the Chief assigns work to in the family? E. Imagine you are an explorer and you’ve just stumbled upon a Northwest Coast village for the first time. Using the pictures in the reading, write a descriptive paragraph explaining what you see. D. Imagine you live in a Northwest Coast village that has just been ravaged by European disease. Write a short poem expressing how you feel.

The First Nations of Canada // Lesson 1 // The Northwest Coast pg.4

Vocabulary // Lesson 1 The Northwest Coast

Siberian Nomads People who lived in the Siberian region of modern Russia and traveled over a land bridge to North America thousands of years ago as they followed food. Pan Pacific People People who lived on the islands of the Pacific Ocean, some of whom were known for travelling long distances using ocean ready ships. Haida, Tlingit, Tsimishian, Nuu-chah-nulth (Nootka), Salishan The five unique cultures that made up the people of the Northwest Coast in Canada. Land OwnershipA term that describes when a person or family has control over a piece of land. Longhouses Long rectangular homes that housed entire generations of families. The Chief The eldest member (usually) who made important decisions for a family Clans Larger groupings of people, based on a historical association with one another through marriage and family. Usually clans had an animal associated with them that identified the clan a family was part of. Potlaches Lavish feasts that had cultural dances, food, and expensive gifts given by the hosts to show their wealth and generosity. Totem Poles Cultural and religious poles that were carved out of wood and placed in front of longhouses, as well as around villages. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Assignment Pick FIVE vocabulary words and write a paragraph about the Northwest Coast that uses those words correctly.

The First Nations of Canada // Lesson 1 // The Northwest Coast pg.5