Title: The Northwest Coastal People - Environment / Housing
Headings: 

Content: Rugged coastline (Pacific Ocean)
Wide and narrow beaches
Deep fjords
Mountains (near coast)
Many islands
Spruce, cedar, and fir forests
Inland rivers and lakes
All the people lived near the water, either the Pacific Ocean or an inland river or lake, and relied heavily on water for their survival. Salmon was the single most important food the Northwest Coast peoples, and the rivers were full of them. The people had access to the Pacific Ocean for fishing and collecting other food like clams and shellfish. They also took advantage of the expanse of forest in the area and used cedar trees to make everything from their houses and canoes, to their blankets and clothing. They also hunted for deer and elk in the forests. Yakoun Lake, Haida Gwaii, Queen Charlotte Islands
Vancouver Island Coastline
Bella Coola, BC
Cedar tree in BC forest
Cedar Trees
The Northwest Coastal People used cedar trees to make many things, including: houses
baskets
boxes
blankets
canoes
masks
Chilkat Blanket
Kwakwakw'wakw House
Coast Salish Mask
Haida Canoe

Settlements and Housing
Due to the fact that the people of the Northwest Coast had access to food year-round, they were able to live sedentary lives in permanent settlements. Longhouses at Ksan Village
Kwakwakw'wakw painted longhouse and totem pole
Kwakwakw'wakw house front
Longhouse frame (cedar logs)
Housing - the 'Big House'
They lived in longhouses or 'Big houses' constructed out of cedar planks. Each longhouse was 50-150 feet long and 20-60 feet wide, and housed several families. Model of Haida house
Constructing the House
Since it rained a lot along the coast, the trees grew very thick and tall.